Finally a bust in the heat wave.

Que Onda!!!!!!!!!!! familia!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally this week the climate changed!!! The days are just perfect and I mean perfect. Blue skies a cool breeze and mariachi bands what more could you want haha!! I do have to say that I freeze my butt off in the morning!!! It's not cold here it's just that I'm really used to the heat here, so I'm freezing haha I wrote a letter to someone and told them that I have no clue what I'm going to do when I come home to Utah in January!!! haha but it will be alright!!  The days are beautiful and this has caused me to reflect a bit on home and how beautiful Utah is!!! I love my time in the ranch!!!!! I love being a ranch hand!!!!!!!!

Family yesterday was a super special day for me and I was just filled with the spirit the whole entire day and it was unexplainable!!!

It was fast Sunday!! My favorite!! I was sitting with some of my investigators and my heart started pounding and my chest started burning. I knew, I had to give my testimony to my brothers and sisters. They needed something. All I could think about was Grandpa Smith. My heart was full as I walked up to the pulpit. I already had tears in my eyes  because of the experience that I had with grandpa in the MTC is something that I hold so dear to my heart. I told them I  was happy and I was to share my testimony with them.  I was so happy because the day I arrived in the ranch I couldn't speak any Spanish, but now I can speak and I can express myself. I told them that I wanted to give my testimony about the family and how the family is so special to me. I continued to tell them about my Grandpa Smith and the relationship that I had with him, also the experience that I had with him when I was in the MTC. I was so touched by the spirit the whole time (that means yes I was in tears) and as I looked out over the congregation I couldn't look at anyone because everyone was crying.  I continued and I bore my testimony of my experience and how families can live together forever through the beautiful plan that our Heavenly Father has for us!!!!! I know the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IS REAL family!!!! with all my heart.   After I finished the old bishop that got released a week ago bore his testimony. His words put me in tears ultra vez. He expressed to the ward how grateful he was for me and how when I arrived I couldn't speak any Spanish but now I’m speaking fluent. He expressed how I bring a spirit with me wherever I go but a spirit that is different than the other missionaries a spirit that is really special. He said that I am always welcome here in Apatzingan and I will always have place to stay if I return. He gave me gradulations. I can't express how I felt and I'm not trying to "brag" but these words really touched my heart and after sacrament, I went up to the old Bishop Sanduval and told him thanks so much. He said come here elder and gave me a hug. But it was a real hug. He is a big ole boy so I got a big ole bear hug for like a minute and we cried a bit again. After the hug he said "Elder Yo Quiro" I will never forget this man he treats my like his son and here in the mission he is like a father to me and I can go to him with anything! I love my ward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The day gets better!!!!!!! Mario and Viri entered into the waters of baptism today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never had a baptism so special an all of my mission. I love these two people with all of my heart and they are truly miracles in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to tell you more but it will have to wait another week  because I need to go work!!!!!!!

I love you all more than all of the words I am speaking in spanish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha chido!!!!!

oh guess what? It is sad I am only going to be a teenager for 1 more month!!!!!!!! bummer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

20 what!!!!!!!!!!! I'm getting old!!!!!!!! no!!!!!!!

Jacee you need to take it easy haha and one step at a time!!!!!!!!! haha I think I’m going to have to use this story for an example with my investigators hahaa love ya girl!!!!

well I will talk to you lata!!!!!

chilllennnnnn AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!

keep working hard

keep the faith

love life

love your ranch hand Elder miller

Family!!!!!!!!

Wat up fam?     Oh man I am totally beat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We went hiking today with Panchito and Mayco!  It was a riot. We hiked up this mountain that is next to the city. It was so dang hot!!!!!!!!! with humidity also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was soaked from head to toe and all the way through my saweet wranglers in sweat!!!!!!!!! Oh man it was worth it though!!! We got to the top and we could see forever, the city of Apatzingan, and farther into all of the little cities and all of the orchards of fruit. It was rad!!!!!!!!!!! We plopped down on the ground ate some tortas (sandwiches) laughed and just enjoyed ourselves!!!!!!! Then on the way down Pancho wanted to go a different way where there was no trail. I said if you want, but if you get lost don't expect me to lead you out. Guess what happened, they got lost. It was bad, it was thicker than crap and for a little bit I was a little on edge because it reminded me of Ghost in the darkness and I thought a black puma was going to jump out in get me. I had to get these boys out of the wilderness and as we were going it turned into pure thorns and thistles and dang they hurt like crap. The other 3, the boys and my comp wouldn't stop crying. I had to make a path through this thorn patch that was thicker than the thorn patch on sleeping beauty. I had my bearings and I knew I needed to go in this direction. I couldn't see anything but I knew where I was (thanks pops!!!! thanks for all the times we had in the mountains). After awhile I broke through these terrible thorns and right on to the trail. I was so grateful!! My body was throbbing everywhere in pain and I was all cut up and bleeding but I was so grateful. I love the wilderness and the mountains. Great adventures, this is one that I will have for a long time.  Making memories.

I have never been so happy in all of my mission than in this last week. We had a baptism, which was spectacular. Hermana Maria del Socorro was baptized and is all jazzed to be a member of the church. Also we have a ton of investigators right now that are all chosen ones the people that God has prepared. I love all of them. They are progressing so much and are just loving the gospel. Mario and Virdi can't get enough we visit them every day to teach them and they just love it. They are going to be baptized this Sunday!   Oh and yesterday in sacrament meeting we had 16 investigators!!!!!!!! I can't even express the joy that I have right now!!!!!!!!! I am so thankful for all of the many blessings that my Father in Heaven blesses me with I know that I am nothing with out Him.

Family I am swamped with work right now and I need to go work more to help bring salvation to Gods Children! I love it! I love all of you more than all of the cuts I have on my body!!!!

keep the faith!!!

smile always!!

look to serve!!!

love your ranch hand ELDER MILLER

Mom I can't thank you enough for my blanket!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!! Know that I sleep with it every single night even when it’s hotter than hot here in the ranch!!! I love it!

thanks for everything love you

       have a great week

Oh, I am running a little low on ties because I give them away to members.  I’m a little bored of the ties I have, so if you have time, I would love some ties.  I love ties.  Ha ha ha ha

Ranchin it up!!!

Sup family!!!!!!! Thanks so much for all things that you guys do, not only for me, but for everyone. Your examples are so awesome and I just love all of you so much!!!!!!!!!! I was with my zone leader this week Elder Zuniga! It was a great time. He wanted to come be a ranch hand with me. I was stoked. He came out to the ranch for a couple of days and we tore it up.  I learned so much from him and he helped me a lot with my teaching. We click really well.  He is a chubby boy, but has a lot of love.  We had a lot of laughs together and a lot of spiritual experiences.  Yes, we did planch a few JW"s (Jehovahs Witnesses), but these days were awesome and I will never forget them. My comp and I also did some traveling, to a nearby ranch called Nueva Italia.  It was saweet and we did some sik work. There is a little branch there and only like 15 active members, but the church is true and they know it.  We are going to help their branch. Some of the ward members prepared some investigators for us, so we are teaching 3 families out there and it is "la neta" it's saweet. I'm doing great.  I am growing a bunch right now and I am really being pushed to my limits, but I always need to keep the faith and put my trust in the Lord!! I really love this scripture it's one of my favs D&C 6:36.  It's truly awesome and talks about how we need to look unto Christ in everything not fearing and not doubting. Bomb, I love my life and I love the ranch!!!!! Elder Aragon and Elder Miller Apatzingan Sunset. Sorry it's short, but I was having troubles sending the pics!!!  I'm not a geek, kel you can teach me when I come home. Elder Miller Smith Love you all more, than all of my 7 moons that I have here in ole Mexico.

Family!!!!!!!!

Hello everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you hardly believe that another week has past. Wow, I can’t!!! Time is a very strange and crazy thing. I know that I am right where I should be and as I work harder and harder the time is going to go faster and faster. It's sad how fast time is going. I am loving it!!! I am really enjoying my time in the mission. I am learning so much!!!!!!!!!!! It's crazy!!!!

I'm in Uruapan again with my brother Elder Lopez! Dang, I love this kid. I really feel like I knew him before this life. We just connect really well and just have the best time out here in the field together. He really is my bro. Last night we were out teaching and an investigator invited us to eat dinner with her and her kids. We said of course!!! (what missionary would pass up food hahaha) She brings out this soup. We said the prayer and right as I was about to eat this Hermana, said “if you don't like it, you don't have to eat it.” I was like ok, but I'm going to eat it don't worry. I took a big chunk of something and put in my mouth. I started chewing, and oh dang I just couldn't!! It was so bad. But I manned up, chewed all of it and swallowed it. Oh what a miracle. The Hermana said "you are a big fan are you" I said "la verdad, no" She said, don't worry none of the guedos(white boys) like it! So she got me some fruit to eat and my compa Elder Lopez ate my portion. So, you are probably wondering what it was. It was stomach. Yah, the actual stomach!! I ate it, but the truth is----I just couldn't stomach it. hahahahah.

Apatzingan is hot, really hot. But it's good, the people are nice and I am learning a ton. I have a sik tan. It's only a missionary tan, my head and arms. haha.

I can say that these 3 weeks have been really hard for me. I am struggling quite a bit but it is a growing experience and as I go through this time I can feel myself becoming closer to my Savior. I can feel that my faith is growing and that I am becoming stronger! I love the mission it's dang tuff but I wouldn't want it any other way.

Brady way to go big dog. Way to put the hammer down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Story was saweet and you put ole laraine to work---atta boy!!!!!!!!!!! that's my bro!!!!!!!!!!

Family I love all of you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!! More than you could ever know!! love you, talk to you in a week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep the faith

Ride tall

Always remember who you are

Peace out

TENGAN UN BONITA SEMANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another 6 weeks in the ranch!!!!!!

Yup, I'm still going to be a ranch hand for another 6 weeks!!! I love ranch'n it up!!

This week has been a good week. It was a tremendous week with all of our new investigators. We really have gained their confidence and the love when we visit them. A lot of them are keeping their compromisos (I forgot what this word is in English) and many are improving. It makes me so happy to see these people put their faith in Christ and start living his gospel. I can literally see the change in these people when they follow Christ. Their attitude is different and they literally have a light in there eyes. I just rejoice and give thanks to my God because I am so blessed. I am so blessed to be here and be an instrument in the hand of my Lord. I have a love for this people that is real, I yearn for their well being.  I just want them to have what I have. I want them to feel what the gospel can bring into their lives.  It just makes me so sad when they reject the gospel because they are missing out on so much joy, happiness and blessings from our Heavenly Father. It's part of the work. I can only do the best I can to be obedient and have the spirit with me and to share all the feelings that I have. If I do this, I will be at peace and I will know that I am doing all that I can do.  I will feel the love of the Savior, my Brother, in my life.

Yesterday we were with one of our investigators named Graciela. She couldn't come to church because she went to the hospital because she was feeling really enfermo. (she is pregnant) so we visited her in the afternoon. We didn't know what we were going to teach her but after the prayer, we just started talking.  We started talking about the Savior and all of the things he did for us and about his life. The miracles that he preformed and how we (my compa and I) are literally representatives of Jesus Christ. She felt the spirit really strongly and she asked if we could give her a blessing. We said of course. I explained to her that this blessing is going to work on faith, and her own faith. I told her if you really believe and have faith in your Savior Jesus Christ you will be healed. We gave her the blessing. I

felt very .... I don't know how to describe what I felt, but a feeling that was really powerful. When my compa said the words "in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen" I opened my eyes and Graciela was in tears. I asked how she felt? She said "I feel tranquility and peace and all my pains are gone."  Then she just smiled really big and thanked us. Family I have never felt the power of the priesthood so strongly. This experience was so special, and there is no other feeling better than feeling the spirit. It's better than a day of blue skies and 4ft of fresh powder. It's a feeling that is not expressible. I love it!!!

I am a missionary of the Lord. My time is short, but oh there is so much work. This is my life and I love it. I would not trade it for anything right now. I am becoming the man that my Heavenly Father wants me to be!!!

Dad you are my Hero!!!!!!!! I am honored to carry your name!!! I love you and I miss you a ton!!! Keep on Keepin on

Mom I can't express my gratitude that I have for you!! I love you!! and think of you Often!!!!

Brady!!!!! Bro you are a stud.  I would not be where I am at right now, if it weren't for you!!! You are my big brother and always will be!!!  Life is a rush so farm it!!!!!

Kel thanks for all of your prayers I can feel them!!!!!!! you are always such a great example to me!!!! Keep doing what you do best!!!!!!!!! love you!!!!!!!!!!

SNase!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love your face!!! you rock!!!!!!!! keep studying hard!!!!!!!!! Know that I'm always with you!!!!!!!!!!

Highland 30th you are the Greatest ward there is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep the FAITH always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love you

Mom there is lady in my ward that was going to email you a bunch of food recipes from here so if you received recipes its from her.

Mom one more thing, can you send a package to my companero, Elder Villca. He has 5 months in his mission and has never received a letter from his mom. It makes me super sad. Please mom, could you send him a package full of love from the miller family!!  Thanks!!!!!!!!!

You guys are always in my prayers

Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LES AMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Miller

Elder Miller Smith

Sup my family!!

Splits with Elder Lopez ing Uruapon.

Well, I'm in Uruapon again and I'm just freezing my butt off. I had to sleep on the tile last night and dang was it cold.  I haven't felt the cold for a long time, but I love it. I really love it. The heat gets old pretty fast, but that is why I am so grateful to visit Uruapon every now and again.  It makes me think a lot about home when I am here, because it's up in the mountains and the air is fresh. There is nothing like some good ole fresh air. Lovin life.

I have a week with my new comp and it has been a pretty interesting week. He is a pretty unique kid. I am trying my hardest to do my best and to get along with him. He is from Bolivia. He didn't have his visa, so he served in Bolivia for 2 changes. He speaks really different than the people that are here in Mexico. It's Spanish but it's super different. It's quite comical talking with him. I am learning a little about the culture of Boliva so that is cool. He also speaks a different language.  It is a language that is native to his country, like the Indians that are there. Elder Villca and I are here and working hard.

Conference was amazing I must say, but I missed a lot of it.  Saturday I watched part of the first and second session on the internet in Apatzingan. Our leaders wouldn't let us come to Uruapon until Sunday to watch conference.  I was really pretty sad that I missed the priesthood session it is always my favorite. I got to watch all of yesterday and it was so awesome. I loved all of the talks. I loved the talk about the things that the families need to do like: family prayer, family dinner,  family scripture, and interviews. I really like this because these are things that can really strengthen the family.  The family can be made strong and unbreakable. I loved all of conference and probably could talk for a really long time about conference. I do know that we were spiritually fed and now it is our turn to take these words and apply them into our lives. When we apply, we show God our love for him and our brother Jesus. Set goals and try to apply the words of conference into your lives.

Mom and dad I have a question. Why do I have my name? Why did you choose my name? JAKE DAVID MILLER thanks

I love all of you very much. I don't have to much to say today, but I'm sure this next week I will have a lot of interesting things happen, more funny stories to tell or spiritual experiences. My days are hard, long, and hot but I always have the strength of my family, friends, my brother Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father with me, you are my strength. I am pressing forward with love, joy happiness and much more.

I love you all more than all of my shivers last night. Ha ha

Elder miller

Elder Ranch Boy Miller

How the heck is everyone!!!!!!

This email is going to be a little short, but I’m sorry. I have had no sleep for 24 hours and I'm still going on no sleep right now.  We got a phone call last night when it was absolutely dumping rain, like buckets. I’m not kidding, the streets were rivers. Our zone leader said he had bad news. Well let’s just say that my boy Elder Aragon is gone. Yep they transferred him, and I received my new comp. He is from Bolivia and his name is Elder Villca. He doesn't have much time in the mission but he seems like a stud. I can tell that he has a desire to work. I am stoked its going to be saWeet!!!! I am going to have more responsibility now, but you know what--its good for me. I love a challenge.

Yesterday we had a baptism and it was truly a miracle. Her name is Lourdes. She is in her 40´s and is in a wheelchair. She has been one of our investigators for about 2 months. It is just that she was a slow learner and she had a really huge fear of water. With much prayer and fasting Lourdes was finally ready to enter the waters. Lourdes isn’t the littlest lady, lets just say she is quite a bit bigger than me in weight. We got to the edge of the font, I said Lourdes do you trust me, she said yes. I took her in my arms, the way the groom carries his new wife when they get married, and down into the water we went. I put her on the chair in the water. My comp said the prayer and baptized her but her feet came up and I knew the chair wouldn’t work. So I got on my knees and took her in my arms. She had her arm around my shoulder. My comp said the prayer again. After, I didn’t know how I was going to baptize her. I just felt that I should go with her, so we both went at the same time. Yup all the way under the water and up out of the water we came. She just had a big smile on her face and so did I. I was so happy. This truly was a miracle and Lourdes was so courageous. None of this would have been possible if we didn’t have the help of the Lord.

Thanks for the shoes, I got both of them and they Rock!!!!!! Thanks for the letters too, they touched my heart. Mom, how is sister Lakip?

Dad for the backpack, um one that has good support but is not to huge. A little smaller than a Brahma bag but bigger than a hiking pack. Colors aren't too big of a deal. But not colors that are way bright and yeah!!!!

Oh I had an amazing 4 days with Lopez in Uruapon. We saw many miracles together and many spiritual experiences. I hope I can serve with him some day down the road longer than 4 days.

Mom, I have a lady in my ward who is going to be emailing you a whole bunch of recipes so get stoked. ha ha

I love all of you so much!!! More than all of the miles that I have taken in the bus.

ha ha love ya

Wear your smiles this week

those dang quesadillas

Que Tal familia!!!!!

I know it is a bit early for me to be writing you guys but I am headed off to Uruapon for 4 days to do some sweet work.  Oh and in Uruapon it isn’t hot. Ah I’m so stoked!!!! It is going to be saweet. I’m going to be working with Elder Lopez again. So, I am stoked.

Yesterday after a good day of church with lots of people in attendance and lots of investigators in church, we went to the comida. It was with the familia of our ward mission leader. Horacio, is his name, he is a stud.  He is an ex missionary, but you would think he was still a missionary. He is always visiting menos activios and coming on visits with us. He is a stud. But, the food. First we had a big bowl of soup, which was awesome!!!! I really liked it and it had a whole bunch of meat. I was getting done eating my soup, the madre of Horacio puts down a plate of quesadillas. It was a whole dang stack and there was cheeze goozing out of them. Then she told me that it was for me. I was in a little bit of shock because there was so much cheeze. I was like, how in the world am I going to eat these. I started praying that I could receive the gift to eat. I started to believe that I could do it. First, I started dipping them in salsa.  This helped a bunch but then the salsa got way to hot.  I thought I was going to die because I had so much heat in my mouth. So I started eating them plain.  I think from eating the salsa I was able to eat them plain because the salsa damaged all my taste buds and there was enough tortilla to get rid of the nasty texture of the cheeze.  I did it, I ate my quesadillas. I ate cheeze familia can you believe it!!! In this one meal I ate more cheeze than I have eaten in my entire life. I was super grateful for the meal. The Hermana´s always love it when I eat with them, because I eat a lot and it makes them feel good. If it makes them happy, I will eat whatever and a lot. I am starting to see a little bit of the affects. I am starting to get a little gut, which is not good. I can’t really help it, it’s the food. I’m doing more exercises because I don’t want to have a gut when I come home. I won’t be able to get a date. Ha ha  Oh, Brady remember when we were in the good ole state of Wyoming and we were pushing our guts out?  My gut back then, was nothing.  You should see it now. Ha ha. I am exercising more because I want a date. Ha ha It makes me feel better (physically, mentally, spiritually) and my pants are starting to get a little tight around the ole belly. Ha ha Gotta love the food here.

So I don’t know why but I had a whole bunch of people contact me in English this week. Which is very weird because this never happens. It was saweet because a couple of them live in Utah and are here for vacations. It was so hard. I can’t talk in English to save my life. I haven’t really spoken English since I got to the ranch. It was a challenge for me to speak with these people. I had to think of the words and sentences in my mind before I spoke with these people.  I also tried talking about the church and would just start speaking in Spanish because my Spanish just flows out of my mouth. It was wild and I cannot teach or contact in English. I like talking in Spanish a lot better right now.

Well I gotta head out. Sorry it is short this week but there is work to be done. 

Know that I love you with all of my heart. You guys give me inspiration and I know that you are with me.

Love your little ranch boy Elder Miller 

Mom really fast my backpack is dying. I am going to need a new one. I have had it for years and it has been through many battles with me but it is time for a new one. If you could send one that is a little bigger that would be awesome, but not too big just like a normal backpack but has good support. That would be amazing and the color doesn’t matter.

I would use my other one from Mr. Mac, but I gave it to my comp.  I let him use it one day because his backpack was hurting his back really bad. He absolutely loved the one from Mr. Mac so I thought he needed it more than me. So I gave it to him.

thanks so much 

love ya

living it up in the ranch

What is up!! How the heck is everyone!!!

Well, I am loving life, we worked our butts off this week and taught a whole bunch of lessons and contacted until I thought I wasn't going to have a voice. Oh, this week rocked. We found a lot of new cool people. One lady named Isabel (I met her last week when I knocked on the door to use the bathroom, this lady was in the house.) We visited her and her 3 kids this week. Her oldest doesn't believe in God. We had an awesome lesson with them. I'm excited to visit them again this week. She owns a soccer field and they have tournaments 3 days a week. Sik, I want to play, but I can play after my mission. There is work to be done.

Do you guys remember Angela? I baptized her like 3 weeks ago. Well I had a very special spiritual moment yesterday in church. I was sitting in sacrament just loving all of the testimonies when I saw little Angela stand and start walking to the front. She got to the pulpit and gave her testimony. This girl is nine years old and has been a member for only weeks and went up all by herself. Her testimony was very simple, but it was a testimony from the heart. As she was speaking, I was just touched by the spirit, I was crying. I couldn't help it. I know that this gospel is real and it is simple. Sometimes we forget that, but really it's simple and we can always be reminded that it is simple by listening to the little children pray or give their testimonies. I love the little children here and back at home. They always bring a smile to my face. I always joke with them and laugh and we just have a good time.

Pops and Brady guess what? I have this buddy and he works in a leather place. He is cool but doesn't want anything to do with the church, but he made me a DOPE!! belt and scripture case!! I was talking to him and he told me that they hunt these little deer here. He showed me some and they are pretty saweet. What is even more exciting is that they hunt black panthers in the hills above Apatzingan. Yah sAweeet huh. I’m so stoked, I have a contact now after the mission.  I can come here and get me a big ole black cat.

Tell dad that he needs to fill me in on the hunt down on Johnsons. I want to know. I miss it bad. The morning of September one I knew it was the opening of the hunt so when I woke up, I started doing elk bugles and cow chirps. I think my comp thinks I'm some crazy mountain man. But hey, I'm just being me.  Ha ha.

We are going to have some baptisms this week. 1 for sure with Mayco and 2 others if we can get the couple married. Homero y Casandra. Keep them in your prayers. This week is going to be awesome. 

Well I love all of you so much. Always know that I'm doing the work of the Lord and I am loving it. It tries the heck out of me at times, but it's good for me and I'm learning a ton. 

love you 

Until next time, this is Elder miller and I'm signing out.

Oh mom, if my blanket isn't to big and can fold up into my suit case you can send it. That would make me really happy!!!!

Elder Miller Smith

Fam

YESSSSS!!!! I get to be a ranch boy for at least another 6 weeks!!!!!!! ahh I'm so stoked!!!!! Oh and Elder Aragon is still with me.  We get another 6 weeks together to tear things up. Oh I'm so stoked!!!!! We have been working hard lately and we are having success, in many different aspects.  Baptisms, finding new cool people, having ward members accompany us on our visits, feeling the spirit, being led by the spirit, ah just so, so much. My life here is truly a blessing. I'm really excited for this next change because we already have baptisms for the next couple of weeks. The people are awesome. They are all miracles. Mayco, Homero and Cassandra are their names. I’m so stoked for them. I’m also really excited because I have these 6 weeks to work my butt off and get prepared for the next change. If I do my part, I know,I will be blessed by the Lord. I may not know everything but I will know enough for this next step in my mission training. Really, I'm just full of joy right now, just filled with joy. Yah, a lot of my days are just really tough and sometimes I get frustrated because of the language, but I love it. I love it all. I'm seeing changes in my life. I was thinking about my farewell talk, since I was like a little kid when I gave that talk. I didn't really know anything. I have come such a long way with everything, language, knowledge, patience, love---ah just everything, but I'm still green ha ha that means I'm growing I hope I can always stay green because there is always something to learn each day and we always can grow. Remember don't eat a green snake unless it's ripe ha ha ha

Oh so this week was bad!! I will tell you that! I have never had the "Rocky Mountain Quick Step" so bad in my life. After I got done eating one of our meals at the members, I was sitting there and then boom it hit me.  I was like "ah no manches" so casually I ran to the bano and barely made it. I felt better so I was like let's go do some work. We passed by with our next visit with Donyatonya. She works in a house and cleans and stuff so we pass by her work and then we go to a park and teach her. We rang the doorbell and when we were waiting for her boom it hit me again. "Ah no manches" I asked Donya if I could use the bano in the house but she said her boss wouldn't allow it. I went next door and asked the lady if I could use her bathroom. I had no idea who she was but she said yes. So, I ran as fast as I could and barely made it. Afterwards, I felt better and I thanked this lady so much. I found out she spoke English. It was cool, we talked for a bit and then we left. I was sick all the rest of the day. That night I was in a visit and I had told them my problem. The guy said, oh I have a cure for you. This guy doesn't believe in doctors. He is an Indian. He only believes in natural stuff. He cooked me up a tea. I drank it and felt better. It worked for that night. I was like sweet but then the next two days, I was sick again ha ha. It was a bad week. Ha ha oh and for my comp, he became a missionary this week, he was sick too. Ha ha ha so funny.

On Saturday night I baptized Donyatonya. She has been waiting for 2 months to be baptized. She is old, so it took her a really long time to learn the lessons but with patience and consistency and lots of prayers she was finally prepared. She was stoked!!!! Saturday night as we entered into the water, I asked her if she trusted me. She said of course I do, guedito. I couldn't help to laugh. She is so funny. Oh, guedito means little white boy. I baptized her and as she came up out of the water she had a huge smile on her face!! Just a big smile. I asked her how she felt. She couldn't talk she had so much joy and just couldn't stop smiling. Oh beautiful this moment was. Have I told you guys how much I love these people? I think I have but I just want to tell you again. I love them. 

Tell grandma s that I have been getting her letters. Thank her I love her letters.  Grandma is awesome and I feel her and grandpa with me.

I love all you guys with all of my heart. Dang aren't we something. I mean don't you remember us up in Wyoming with Jack Sparrow. I'm sure we are one of a kind.

love ya

Elder Miller Smith

¡Que Onda! Familia?

I had a special week and it was filled with miracles. I have miracles happen in my life everyday but in particular this week was filled with many. We had a baptism this past Sabado. A good ole boy named Odilon. He is like 70 years, he is pretty old but very sharp and has 12 kids. How about that? This is the story with him. One day like 2 and half weeks ago we were waiting for a member to come to the church so he could come visit some people with us. We were just waiting so I told my compa lets just walk over to this house and contact them. It was right next to the church so we did. There were two old boys, one didn’t want to talk to us and the other (Odilon) he did. He had interest but said we couldn’t visit him because he is out on his bike all day working. I was prompted to invite him to church. He said he would come. We were like chido and we said goodbye and left. We didn’t think anything of it because most of the people here say they will come to church or we can visit them but they never are true to their word.  On Sunday rolls around and this ole boy shows up to church. I was stoked. I went and talked to him and then had him sit with a member. Again we didn’t think anything of him, or like he didn’t have potential. Another week went by and on Sunday he showed up to church. We didn’t even say anything to him or visit him. We were going to have a huge baptismal service in Uruapon as a zone the next week and we didn’t have anyone to baptize. I was thinking the whole time in church about Odilon. I knew I needed to put a sita or a visit with him. After church I couldn’t find him. I was like ahhhh no manches where is he. I ran outside. He was leaving on his bike. I was like Odilon!! He stopped and I went and talked to him. Instead of asking about a visit I felt prompted to ask him what he was doing right then. He said, nothing. I said how would you like to come to a baptismal service? We are having one right now and it will be performed in the same way as our brother Jesus Christ was baptized. He said he would like that. After the baptism, my comp talked with him. He was stoked and said he would like to be baptized. We put a fecha with him for the 21 de Augosto. We had one week to teach him. We needed a miracle. As we taught him this last week, I truly realized that God really prepares his children. Odilon didn’t have a problem with one thing. He prayed and read everyday this week. By the time Saturday came he was ready. The baptismal service was sweet. We baptized 5 in this night. The same night they were having a huge ex missionary reunion for all the ex missionaries in the stake of Uruapon. There were about 60 returned missionaries in this baptismal service. Our mission president, the stake president and some other returned missionaries baptized all the people. It was so special and the spirit was like a powerhouse this night. After the baptisms different returned missionaries got up and shared there testimonies. The next thing we know Odilon asks is he can go up. He walks up and with power gives his testimony. I was filled with such great joy. My life is something that is special and each day I grow a little closer to my Heavenly Father.  I can feel and I know that I am becoming the man that he wants me to be.

I’m going to Uruapon again today for a day or two. I’m going to be with Elder Rojas. My comp has to go to Gaudalajara for a little training so I get to go to Uruapon. It is a really cool city. It is not hot because it is up in the mountains. So I’m stoked.

Mom, those Oakley shoes look dope and they will be great. I need a shoe that is for walking because I walk a ton and most of the streets are rock streets. I just need a really good walking shoe for the work in the field. I have shoes for Sunday. They look great. Oh, important important. I wear a size 7 and a half or 8 nothing bigger than 8 that is just too big or a size 41 in the other system. I know I have small feet but that’s alright. Thanks.

Chickens huh. That is so saweet and funny. There are chickens everywhere here in the ranch. All over in the streets.  Yesterday after we ate me and this kid named Victor fought his chickens. hahaha I’m probably not supposed to do this but it was a lot of fun. haha

Kel I see miracles in my life everyday. You are right, you have to look for them. That why its important to try to look at things how God sees them. A lot of time we get caught up in our own lives because they are so busy. We really we need to just step back and look at the big picture. I have chilled out a lot in my mission and I love to just observe everything.  The people, my comps and just everything and then meditate on these things and then receive inspiration or revelation on how I can better these situations. Life is good and life is great---but life is the best when you can feel the love of your Heavenly Father and know that what you are doing is what He wants. This life is about completing the things that Heavenly Father wants us to complete. As we do just that, we become closer to Him. We receive help and direction for ourselves and for others, and we receive joy and happiness. Ultimately we start seeing the big picture. I love life.

I love the ranch, I love the people, I love tacos, and barely water, I love walking, I love laughing, I love smiling, I love being me, I love my family and friends, I love my Savior Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father.

These are only a few of the things I love. I could go on for a lot longer. I love life. Family and friends recognize all of the things you love, all the things you are grateful for, all of your blessings and miracles. Love life.

Your country boy Elder miller

much love always

Elder Miller Smith

Another week in the ranch!!!!!

gotta love. i do i really do. i like being out in the middle of no where not really close to anything and just out in the country. things are more relaxed. the people are living not always looking at their watches and saying "oh i’m going to be late or i gotta be here at this time" this isn’t the lifestyle here in the ranch. it’s a small town lifestyle. just how i like it. 

well family, this last week i was able to support a family in getting married. it really wasn’t me. i dedicated it to you guys. the whole time we were going through the long process of getting them married i was just thinking of them and how you guys would love to help. so thanks family. it really was a special day for this family and a lot of excitement and even more excitement yesterday because the mom Margarita and a daughter angela were able to enter into the waters of baptism. what a special day. they had been waiting for this day for more than 3 months. the marriage process was really long and lengthy but it finally came and they were able to get baptized. i baptized the little girl angela. she was so stoked. as we entered into the water i just had a huge smile on my face and so did she. as i started to say the words of the prayer i was overtaken with a feeling of joy that i have never ever felt in my life. as i spoke the words slowly but with authority, there was a burning in my chest that was so strong so strong. i ended with the word amen and she looked into my eyes and all i could see and feel was the trust that she had in me. then i baptized her. after she went and changed. my comp was changing in the boys bathroom and there was only one stall, so i just stayed in the font for like 5 or 10 minutes by myself just pondering and meditating.  at this moment during this baptism prayer, i received a answer that i had been searching for for a long time. i really wanted to know if i was a son of my Heavenly Father and if he loved me and if what i was doing was right and if this Gospel was really the Gospel of Christ. this was my answer. i have never received a stronger conviction in my life. Family i am a child of God and I am doing His work and it is a work that is TRUE and there is no other work like this on this planet. i felt deep  deep gratitude to be serving a mission, especially here in mexico. i feel close to my Savior right now and it is a feeling that i always want to have in my life.

After 10 weeks in Mexico

mom thanks for finding out about my shoes. but i’m not really sure if i want another pair of those. i have only worn them here in mexico and they are already worn out. another elder, elder wright from Payson has the same pair and his are thrashed just like mine. if you could, i would really love it if you could find me an outdoors shoe that is actually made for walking and isn’t a church shoe but looks nice under a pair of slacks and is black. i would really love that. because i walk a ton. maybe Oakley makes one or you could look at REI or parks. thanks that would be "la neta"

family and friends i love you all and thank you so much for all of your support that you give me. i love hearing from all of you. keep your letters coming i love them. And when anyone of you have a spiritual experience or are touched by the spirit please share these experiences with me. 

love you all

Your little country boy  ELDER MILLER

My homemade poncho for the rain.

Me with my Primary Kids

I've been seeing this crapper dodge a lot around Apatzingan and I was just like man, that looks like a Utah truck.  Sure enough it is.  It has Utah plates and is from Ken Garff.  ha ha ha
funny

Elder Miller and Elder Lopez at the Lagoon in Uruapon.  Elder Lopez is my companion when I am in Uruapon.

Elder Miller Smith

Que Onda familia

yes its already another Lunes or Monday, sauce time is a very weird thing that I can not explain. I am happy for this Lunes because I get to hear from all of my family and friends.

Elder Miller and an investigator

Well mom, I took a big chunk of money out of my account. I hope you know. It was for a good reason. My comp broke his glasses about 2 weeks ago. We rigged up a little thing to fix them but about 2 days later he broke them again and he totally broke the frames. We tried to jimmy rig something up but they were totally destroyed. I told him we needed to get him new glasses and I said I would pay for them. He rejected my offer a number of times. So, he was with out glasses for about a week, which was really bad because one of his eyes is really bad. Finally I had the president talk to him about getting new glasses and after this I explained to him the importance of eyes and how they are not something to mess around with and its not worth losing an eye for being stubborn. He accepted my offer so we went and got him some dope glasses,that he really likes. This was a humbling experience for me in a couple different ways, and I won’t ever forget the look in this elders eyes when he was able to put on his new pair of glasses. I told him that it wasn’t from me, it was either from you mom and dad or I said a neighbor because the Budges told me they really wanted to be a part of my mission and if they could buy anything like shoes, a shirt or something like this for one of my comps they would love to. So I paid 800 pesos for his new frames.

I spoke in church yesterday, yeah for 20 minutes. What do you think about that haha. But it wasn’t all me. In my talk I spoke on service and the importance of it. I spoke for like 10 minutes then in the middle of my talk I invited 3 or 4 people from the ward to come up and share there feelings about how Christ served or a way that they could serve here in there community.  Different huh, but I was prompted to do so and it turned out really well, as these few people bore solid testimonies of service. After them, I closed my talk with my testimony, I was overtaken by the spirit, yeah I was crying. I couldn’t help it and there hand full of people in the ward crying as well. It is okay to cry especially when the spirit is with you. I love my family here in Apatzingan its a small ward but a loving one.

Pops thanks for my priesthood line. Really, I am really grateful.

Mom, look at you. I know its going to be hard for you mom but there is a reason that you have been called to this position, for one everyone loves you, but the other is there is something that your Heavenly Father wants you to do. Have faith in that and keep the attitude of Nephi "I will go and do" and always know that the Lord has prepared a way. Mom I know speaking and doing stuff in front of people is hard and a lot of times we don’t like to do but just remember this. Its in time like these that we need to but all of our faith in confidence in the Lord and not in our own selves. This is something I am learning right now in my mission. If I think my Spanish is all great and I’m just the bomb teacher, I get struck down and the Lord lets me know my position. It is in these times when we are young or don’t have much times in our callings that we can learn the most. Yeah we might fall a lot of times but in situations like this we are out of our comfort zone because we don’t know a lot but as we learn to trust in the Lord he will provide a way for us. He will put the words in your mouth that you need to say in the exact right moment. It’s hard but if we can learn to trust the Lord in all of our doings we can know where we stand with God and we can receive all of the blessings that he wants to give to us. Be strong.

Family I love ya a lot and all of my friends a family back home as well. More than all of the steps I’ve walked in my mission.

ps no pics today because I’m in Uruapon right now. Next week promise.

Oh mom, all my clothes are destroyed. I can wear them for another 17 months its no bigggy. Maybe not my shoes but can you ask Mr Mac if my shoes have a warranty my rugged shoes. Because they said I couldn’t wear those shoes out in a year. They said it wasn’t possible and they have had it. They have no tread and in the sole all the latex is gone so water comes in through the bottom. If they need a pic, I can send one.  But really all my stuff if fine and I dont need any new clothes right now.

thanks love you