Sorry

I have been informed by my parents that it has been to long since the last time I blogged for Loren. So pardon me for my neglectful blogging.Loren said it has snowed in Houston- Crazy huh! I will add his Pictures of him in the Snow.We are all SOOO looking forward to talking to him in 12 days!
Here are Lorens's last few letters:
Dec.7th
Dear Family! It is so great to read about how amazing you are all doing in Idaho! Rainy is such a funny girl, I really think she will be the smartest in our family! I can’t wait to talk to her on Christmas! It is freezing here in Houston! It snowed on Friday, the earliest ever in the history of Houston. It was so weird to see snow in the south! I definitely need a coat, or light jacket or something because it is so cold here. The weather really hurts missionary work because, it gets nasty especially rain and it is hard to bike in the rain and be drenched! I love hearing about your book of Mormon reading mom, I am truly grateful for your work in studying the book of Mormon. We just had a zone conference all about the importance of the book of Mormon in missionary work. It was so great, I have truly gained a witness myself that the book is true and I will never let go of it. It is so important to me, I love it and it definitely makes the difference people’s lives. . The first presidency devotional was amazing, I loved it and it definitely brought me great insights on how Christmas should be. I encourage you all to watch it, also about gifts for Christmas, I just need some slacks and sweaters and a light jacket. It is so great to hear about how well everyone is doing, we are spiritually being united as a family. I believe truly, that we are growing in the gospel at great lengths, I am so blessed to have a loving family at home that supports me in this great work I am doing. I have definitely felt your prayers! I love my mission so much; I have really grown up a lot and have found out who I am and who I am becoming. The work is hard but is needed to learn discipline and to learn reliance of the spirit and of the lord. I testify to you my family that I know that the heavens are open and that are family is eternal and we can do anything if we are on the lord’s side. We do it his way and not any other way, I love you all so much and testify that there is a voice on earth that god works through. The first presidency devotional strengthened my testimony of the restored gospel and priesthood with the help of prophets. Family read the book of Mormon, it is necessary to know the doctrines in it for our salvation. I testify that it is the word of god and we are all gods’ children. I am safe here in Houston, I am on the lord’s errand and I will keep going and I will never give up. Be safe and find ways to serve everyone, serve with love. Tell everyone I miss them and love them, I pray for them as well. I cannot wait for the opportunity to speak to you all in 18 days; I will tell you the rules of phone calls as soon as I know. Mom and dad thank you for being active in the church and fulfilling your callings. You are my heroes and lexie and Emily you also are in my prayers so much, you mean the world to me. Family, never give up and stay anxiously engaged in the things of righteousness. Be humble and willing to serve our families. I love you all and am representing you, as your son serving the lord for two years. Love always and foreverElder L. Miller
P.S. I will get a light jacket today, it is freezing! Weird huh?

11/30
Hello everyone! It is December tommorrow! That is so crazy how time is flying by! It has been flying by because I have fully submitted myself to the work, losing who I am and do what the lord commands. How great is this call! I had a great thanksgiving but prior days to thanksgiving I was sick with a cold/flu, I am great now, i just had to sit on the sidelines for a few days. I got a great companion who is patient, I felt really bad for sleeping all day and taking cold medicine. Thanksgiving dinner is the same as idaho, but the stuffing was more of a casserole dish. We didnt have it in the turkey that much, but the meal was great. 25 days till christmas and the great opportunity to talk to you all on the phone! We are working with a guy who is really ready to be baptized. His name is ronnie and he is dating a girl in our ward who lives with her mom in our ward. They are both very very active, I think that R and his girlfriend will get married in the future. R is really a great guy and WILL! get baptized before the month is over, but it is the holidays so its hard to set things in stone. He was prepared because he has been to church several times and to stake conference. He needs to read the book of mormon better but he has changed a lot according to him.I pray that everything will work out, but its contigent on him reading what we ask him to read. The book of mormon is key to conversion! Never forget that in your teachings! Tracting or door knocking is not really the best way of doing things, the prophet and apostles have continued to say that the best way is through members. Read preach my gospel chapter 9 about finding and that is what we do to find people. We dont spend several hours a day tracting, we are really trying to unite families and re activate people. We tract maybe 30 minutes a day and street contact a little bit, and we ALWAYS ask referrals from everyone! Going to the temple should be a weekly thing! but going once a month is great, just be there haha! I feel like you are building into spiritual giants, read and pray everyday, continue doing what your doing. Encourage each other to know the doctrines of the kingdom of god. Doctrine is so instrumental in activity in the church, no one can deny the book of mormon or the continuing guidance of a living prophet or that jesus is the christ. Study preach my gospel, book of mormon, and the ensign. my family in idaho, I love you all so very much, be confident in all that you do, and be loving to all in these days. Help the missionaries teach people! We need members in this work more than ever! I am loving my mission every day, it is so amazing and I can't wait to continue on and on everyday. Everything I do everyday in every moment affects me eternally. I am a refined person and I am nothing with out the help of the father in heaven. Mom and dad and family testify in the home of the restored gospel's never ending impact on our family. I am so blessed for the great family I have at home! I miss you all so very much and I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Love always,Your son Elder Loren James Miller
11/23
My Exercising is great, I do the perfect pushup workouts and it really does help build strength. We play sports like every P-day, sometimes we play with other zones, but yeah I am becoming a more athletic basketball player that is for sure. Thanksgiving plans are set with a great day of activity, we are going to play football with the ward in the morning. I need some cleats to wear, i might buy some cheap ones on clearance at ross, is that ok? we have some nice ones in the apartment but they are size 14 yikes! Later that afternoon we are going to a great family's house for dinner, They cook good food, I am sure we are going to go to other families and eat and gather up some left overs. President doesn't really like us proselyting on holidays like thanksgiving and christmas because no one is available to meet. I will be fine this Thanksgiving being away from home, I think that it prepares me for the future, when I have my family and we cannot meet for some reason. Your plans for this week sounds very fun, tell everyone I love them and thank them for their support. Tell them I have felt their prayers and am thankful for the impact they have made on my life. It is definately crazy that its almost Christmas, we get to talk on the phone in 27 days! Time is flying by!The week of christmas is busy, our mission is having mission P-day that monday, where every missionary comes and does stuff at a chapel. That wednesday we have a mission temple day where every missionary goes to the temple. Then Christmas eve and day I am not sure what the plans are yet. The day after christmas is the day we find out transfer information. So yesterday in priesthood they talked about Elder Ballard's talk on father and sons, the teacher is a great guy and we eat dinner at his house every month. He asked us elders if we would like to input anything about our father's helping us prepare for a mission. I said that my dad helped understand how to listen to people and help people with different circumstances. Dad I remember when you talked to me about listening to people. I also said that the time spent with my dad was crucial to who I am today. The teacher thanked me and said to the brethren, elder miller has came to my house a few times and he really expresses his appreciation for his relationship with his dad and its great to hear that from a missionary. Mom and Dad you guys are the greatest and I love you so very much! Dad in 18 months, we will go fishing and we will do so until you are tired of it. I am thankful this thanksgiving for the testimony that I have gained of the divine truths that the restored gospel holds. I am thankful for each of my family members as well. I am thankful for the savior, he lives, and his love I can feel as I exercise faith in him. I am grateful for all the support out there in Idaho, I am truly missin the blue and orange fall fever. Also I cant wait to hear the voices of the little ones, rainy and stellar. I love you all so very much. I want you to know that my redeemer lives and that our family is forever and I testify that the book of mormon is true, read it everyday! God knows us all very much, he knows our hearts and our desires, pray everyday family! I would like to give you a challenge to read the talk "ask in faith" by elder bednar as a family and put the principles from that talk into action. I studied that talk and truly have seen immediate results from applying the lesson learned in it. Have a wonderful thanksgiving and remember that your son in Texas is safe and in the hands of the lord. Love always your son Elder Miller

Good Day Family! Well I will find out if I am transfered next weekend so I am sorry I cant deliver any news but stay tuned for next week! It is going good here in Houston, the weeks are flying by! I hit 6 months this friday and I am puzzled when it comes to thinking that.I got the burgers dad sent me last P-day and enjoyed them all week! It brings back so much memories and I am so thankful for that generous gift you gave me dad. I am grateful for all the support from you all at home. I read from an old conference ensign in the 80's a speaker talks about service, the speaker quotes President J. Reuben Clark Jr., the quote is great, "In the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one takes the place to which one is duly called, which place one neither seeks nor declines." Here are pictures from the temple attached to the email, with me and elder boyle as well as grilling some CAB's. Well Family, I appreciate the letter you sent me and the great love and words of encouragement you send me each week. I have felt your prayers every hour of every day. I have felt my heavenly father's love for me because I know this is his work and his glory. I am an instrument in his hands to do his will and never look back with regrets. The savior lives and his sacrifice is the greatest gift to us if we exercise faith in him to the end of our days. The book of mormon is the tool for us to know of how our eternal path is paved for us through being obedient to the laws and ordinaces of a restored gospel through a boy prophet Joseph Smith. This time in Houston is the best and I cherish it every moment. I am so blessed to know my family is forever and that you all are safe and are working to help others. Love everyone, everything, and every opportunity in your lives. Be safe my family, pray always and testify often of the savior and his gospel, it will bring you closer to him. Love always Your son, brother, grandson, and missionary

Well It was good to see my brother barbequeing, I can't recall ever seeing him cook like that in his pre- mission life. I am excited that he will reach his 6 month mark this week. Personally I feel like he has been gone FOREVER! I am counting down the days till I get to talk to him ! Woo hoo for Christmas!

10/26
Well Good Day Family! Well you might be getting this letter earlier than normal, but its all good, just tell dad to send me an email soon. The week has gone by so fast and it was one of the most successful weeks in my mission. We are teaching a lot of people now and have a couple of solid investigators. Elder B is the man, he just goes out and does the work with out any complaints or anything. He is pretty quiet, but it is all good, he works hard and loves to study. I guess I have become a big talker this transfer, my mouth goes dry pretty quick. But the weather in Texas has chilled a lot! Remember those saturday mornings in optimist football at the end of september, thats how it is here now. It is pretty nice, 75 degrees all day. I actually read the Proclamation to the Family to a Inactive member and her daughter the other day, it felt great. I indeed get the ensign, I will definately get a conference edition, and get the conference talks on cd of the whole conference from the distribution center. My plans for Halloween are to find and teach people all day until 7 pm! haha our president says that we have to be in by then. I think we might just hang out at the apartment and study or something. I am going to the temple on wednesday, I will take a lot there, and its most likely I will get transferred in november, transfer day is the 18th. I have definately been doing a great job on journal writing. I have kept a journal, and like what President Kimball says “Keeping journals reminds us of blessings. Those who keep a book of remembrance are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives. Journals are a way of counting our blessings and of leaving an inventory of these blessings for our posterity". Elder B was an avid Journal writer, I learned from him that journals are important. I also am almost done with my first journal book! haha I write a lot! I got another journal book that I have waiting in the wings. The mission has been flying by though! I almost at 6 months! Every week gets faster, pretty soon I will be at 9 months then a year then... oh man I cant even think about that. I guess I have grown up a lot as a missionary the past month because I have gained a lot of experience. I am very focused and more determined and I am bold with people. I am obedient to the mission rules and I strive to have the spirit with me. Preach My gospel needs to be implemented more, but oh well. I am really happy mom and dad, my choice to serve a mission is the best decision I have ever made. I wouldnt change a thing! I love the people and the work which is involved. It is hard but worth it! I love the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets. I am blessed to have such a great support group at home! The lord knows us, he knows our hearts and desire. The desire to become disciples of christ will break the temptations satan throws at us. If our hearts are centered on the gospel others will follow. I ask you to pray and always ask for the guidance of the holy ghost, be humble and loving to everyone. I think if we all had love towards each other, the world would be a different place. The gospel is the foundation necessary to the gates of heaven and the kingdom of the highest glory. The book of mormon is proof of the saviors love for the whole world, it is proof that Joseph was a prophet and that the message I share with people is true. "...know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. " -Doctrine & Covenants 122:7

10/19
Well its cool down here in the Lone Star state, it was 65 the past few days and its a cold front now. Only 2 months till Christmas and we can talk on the phone! The mission has changed me, I am not looking forward to the movies I missed or the songs I havent heard while I have been gone. But I look forward to the books by apostles and others of the church I want to read. I love reading books about the gospel that are full of insight and doctrine. The book of mormon has become part of my DNA, I love it and cant put it down. The prophets of this dispensation and their testimonies of faith in the savior is what I treasure up as well. C is great, he bought a quad off the LDS distribution website, without us telling him abouit it, he said yesterday in sunday school, the teacher asked him how he got to know the gospel, and he said "elder Miller". I was really humbled at that moment, he should get the priesthood in a few weeks. Well family, I love you and I miss you and hope that Heavenly father still guides you in all your dealings. Ask for the holy ghost to be there , and pray for it, it is the tool given to us for our eternal happiness to become more of a reality if we follow its promptings. I am blessed to know I have a great and wonderful family in Idaho and to know that the heavens are open and we will be together forever. But oh well, I am great and healthy with an eye single to the glory of god, this is the greatest miracle in my life:my mission. I love you and testify that god's son, Jesus Christ, is our master and the redeemer. Remember to love everyone, no matter who they are and what they believe. Thanks for the prayers I feel everyday answered by the father which is in heaven. Love always, Your son, missionary, and brother Elder Loren James Miller

Well I edited where Loren mentioned that he wanted people to write to him. If there is anyone that would like his address I would be more than happy to give it to you. Just leave a comment and I will get it to you. He has not got much mail lately and everyone knows the excitement you feel when you receive a letter in the mail. Loren seems to be doing well. We are all looking forward to hearing his voice and talking to him on Christmas, just about two months left!

October 5th-
Dear Family! Well transfers has come and gone during this beautiful conference weekend where I will never forget the heart warming messages of the leadership in the church. I am staying put in my area, I am getting a new companion though!! His name is elder B, he has been out for a year and a half and Its weird because a lot of missionaries think me and him look a lot alike and we are built alike. But I am excited to continue to build this ward up which it needs desperately. Conference was soooo good, I would have to say that you all need to watch Elder Hollands talk and Elder Christofferson off the church website. Please do it! Also Elder Bednars talk blew me away and so did Elder Ballards talk at priesthood. I found that talk by GBH in a conference ensign from 1977 i think at our apartment. But the church website has so much talks from the past if you search them. So everything is great here in Texas, The weather here is cooling down and it rains hard here. This is the best thing ever, I am grateful the father and the son's appearance to the boy Joseph Smith to restore the fulness of the gospel to the earth. I testify that the restoration is the foundation of missionary work, think of all the blessings that have came from that event in mankind. I am so grateful for the saviors loving gift to all of us, and allowing us to return to him and the father. God loves us all so very much and I am grateful to be an instrument to him. Things are good here, I miss you all so very very much, and pray that the holy ghost will fill your life with experiences that will testify to you the saviors love. Be safe and love one another at all times. Love always Your son and missionaryElder Loren James Miller

Well my Mom asked me to add my own personal thoughts and opinions to Loren's letters. And well I have to be honest I have avoided doing this because of how emotional I have been over the past few months whenever I think of my brother, am reminded of my brother, or think of how long it has been since I have seen him or how long it will be until I see him again. About a month or two after he left I picked up my phone several times to call him or text him, when my kids did funny things, or I wanted to laugh with him about one of our inside jokes. And quickly I put down the phone felt sad and went about my day. So to make a short story long- I miss him. Even though I never thought I'd ever miss my frustrating, irritating, annoying,impatient, difficult, stubborn, little big brother- I do.
So now I will try to add a little of my thoughts- I think Loren is doing great. I am impressed with his knowledge and testimony of the Savior. Also I was just discussing with my mom today how my brother has never been much of a reader or a lover of books. His list of books read in his life consists of the Captain Underpants Series- and thats it. But how proud are we of him that he can now add to that very impressive list- The Book of Mormon. He has read it now more than once- yay for Loren! I will write more next week. - Elder Loren's big sis

9/21
Hey Family! Well its almost the end of september here in houston and the weather hasnt changed that much! Its a little cooler but all is well! It was a good week we have a lot of potential investigators but it is very hard to get a hold of them to set up appointments. We are working hard to find the people ready to change to have the gospel fully bless their lives. Next sunday C will be baptized and his ready as ever, he has met a lot of the ward and is fitting in really well. Also K got to bless the sacrament as well on sunday and exercise his priesthood. It was very exciting to see that happen. Also this week I had an opportunity to go on exchanges with the Assitants to the Presidents. Also this past weekend I had the privilege of hearing Elder Claudio R.M. Costa talk to all three Houston missions. He talked a lot of about being better prepared as missionaries as far as studies and planning goes. He said that "if we as missionaries prepare ourselves, the Lord will prepare us for his people". I think that is absolutely correct, and he also said that the key to success as a missionary is to be a Preach My gospel Missionary. Mom and dad, family, I am becoming a preach my gospel missionary no matter what. I am focusing on that right now, I know if I do that I can do amazing things. I am changing a lot and I am grateful that a mission can do that to a person. I am working so hard to be obedient and diligent in the work so the lord can help me in bring more souls unto him. Well mom and dad, I love you all so very very much and I am grateful for the support and love you give me. I miss each and everyone of you so very much but I know that in 20 months That we can pick up where we left off and enjoy being altogether and having fun. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the Miller family here in Houston. I am also blessed from on high because of the great love I have felt here even though you are in Idaho. I am extremely grateful for the Atonement of our savior jesus christ and that through him we can be made clean. Through faith in the savior, our life can be blessed for eternity if we exercise that faith. I am blessed to know that we have a living prophet and that he leads us. I blessed to know that if I honor my covenants that I have made that the Lord will be with me every moment of this journey. I am working hard mom and dad and never letting up, I am striving to be better everyday and I will never ever let you down. I testify that Jesus is the son of god, and that Joseph Smith was visited my him and the Father which is in Heaven, that spring day in 1820 and that the priesthood was restored to its true order and that God loves us all so very much. I love you family and thank you for your help in preparing me to become a better person and a child of god. The mission is the best thing in the world, I do not ever want to come home, maybe in may 2011, but definately not now. Thanks for all the support and the prayers, I have felt them deeply imprint my days here. Keep going strong and have faith in all things, even the small things. I leave you with this scripture that elder costa gave us that is true about missionaries and being prepared to prepare the way. D&C 138:53-57. Love your son, uncle, brother, and missionary Elder Miller
9/14
Hello Family! Well its been an up and down week, pretty good with the weather and had a great zone conference. I am looking skinnier, i guess its my diet, I havent been eating bad things at all. I enjoyed your letter and pictures, I really want to go to Nauvoo and see the things that you saw. You can do anything after reading the book of mormon, its that powerful. I know i sound like a broken record, but its so important! can share the gospel with anyone, be not afraid of rejection, be happy that you are doing your duty to share the gospel and give everyone their voice of warning that the truth has been restored. Joseph Smith was a prophet and sealed his testimony with his blood. I am excited for c to be baptized! he is way excited and way committed. Tracting is alright, but it doesnt help us at all, it shows the lord that we are working, tracting is not the way to find people to teach. we are trying to find the elect, look up election in the bible dictionary. K, who just was baptized, recieved the aaronic priesthood yesterday, it was really cool. We have been helping people move in and out and stuff lately for service. I love you my family and want to let you know that I have testimony of the restored gospel of jesus christ. I know that we are all children of a loving heavenly father and through Christ we can be cleansed. I testify that god still speaks to us today through prophets. I bear witness that the priesthood is restored and that Joseph Smith restored the same church that Christ established during his ministry. I testify that salvation is only through the messiah, and that we can become closer to jesus christ through our obedience to learning of him, the book of mormon is so powerful, i love it. Please read it, pray for missionary opportunities for our family. I know that I am in the right place at the right time. I love you all so very very much, Please pray for me and the people of houston. Until next time I leave you these things in the name of the Jesus Christ, Amen. Love alwaysElder Miller P.S.- buy the book or cd of Henry B. Eyring's "to draw closer to god" its amazing.

Sep. 8th
Hey Family! Well It has been a good week the past 7 days, I have definately felt your prayers in the area in which i serve in. I heard about the boise state game from members in the ward, Boise state is going to go undefeated again probably right? I was shocked to hear that BYU beat oklahoma, like completely shocked, How did the media respond to that?
Missions change people into better versions of themselves. I testify that it is true, im so different now, but I am a better person because i have different desires and a different attitude about things. Moving on, that is good that Utah State is doing well. I went to the Astros game yesterday and it was the funnest thing ever! the Ballpark is huge!!!! They played the phillies and it was a great game, i saw so many all star baseball players. It was a great P-day, i had to pay for my ticket with my capital one card because my mission card didnt go through. But it was a great environment! Well I thought that the BYU game would the big shock of the week for me but hearing that you guys have moved makes me even more shocked! But mom and dad you guys made the correct decision, through the power of the holy ghost you will know the truth of all things and will know what is needed to happen. I am so proud to know you guys involved our heavenly father in your choices. The house looks like the house that fits you and fits our family. how big is it ? how many rooms? How old is it? But you are right about lexie, she doesnt need to change schools, she is doing so well! I am so happy for her! I miss her so much because I know that she is turning into a great girl and will do good things. I really dont mind where you guys live as long as you are there when i return. As long as our whole family is there it will be still considered home. I have prayed a lot lately in what things i could share with you guys and its something that my mission president asked me in my interview with him last week. he asked me, "how is your studies"? I told him great, i love the book of mormon and I have been growing so strong in knowledge. I testify mom and dad that if you read the book of mormon consistantly and make it a priority you will be blessed more beyond belief. I know that to be true because I have felt it. I have read the book of mormon from cover to cover twice so far, and i am not stopping. I am telling you this because I love you and I want you to know you can do it. put 20 minutes aside everyday for book of mormon study with a pen and paper, and right down thoughts and feelings, read the chapter heading, do whatever, but start with a prayer and read to come closer to God. My mission means the world to me, I am enjoying every minute of it. That is one of the most influential changes I have made since I have been out, scripture study. So the game was so fun yesterday I will send you some pictures over the email, its not a lot but my camera batteries went out! C will be baptized sept. 27, he has been prepared by the lord to recieve the great blessings of the gospel. That right there is pure faith. I am fine, my meds, my shoes, my clothes, and my bike are all good. . I love Houston, downtown is so cool! Well I love you guys more than anything, but I testify mom and dad the lord knows of each and everyone of us and he knows our needs and our desires. If we allow the holy ghost to enter into our lives, God will direct our way back to him. I testify that Jesus is the Christ and that we have the truth restored by a prophet called of god. Time is flying by and serving a mission is the best thing ever to happen to me. Thank you for raising me in the truth. Share the gospel with everyone and build your foundation on christ. I love you all so very much and hope that you are improving and progressing everyday. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen. with love always -Elder Loren Miller
P.S:-buy from deseret book to draw closer to god by henry b. eyring either on book or cd, i bought it on cd last week and it is amazing!
-Pray for families for the missionaries in the world to teach.
-oh and one more thing GO BRONCOS!!

August 31st-
Howdy Family!! Well I am sure grateful to have this opportunity to read your guys emails and hear about the great experiences you are all having. First off K was confirmed and it was an awesome experience to perform that oridinance. We are working hard to gather the flock, and to help others hear the good news of the restored gospel.I am eating a lot healthier these days, I eat carrots for snacks and have totally cut out soda and ice cream. I am more into fruits, i always have a banana and yogurt and a protein bar for breakfast! I eat light mini meals. Well mom what stake president M said is 100 percent right! that is what members need to realize is that we should love one another and be like nephi support our brothers no matter who they are. I think that if you step up and set the example people will notice and our heavenly father will notice the efforts in the work of the lord.Well my new companion is elder C, he has been out for 16 months. We get along good. It has been a hot one, of course it is texas, but by the end of september things will cool down and we will have a texas winter,It has been awfully hot, be grateful for having a real winter and fall and being able to have leaves and watch football on tv. I am gonna miss BOISE state games big time! but oh well its not like they will fall off the face of the earth anytime soon. We taught C twice last week and he is solid, he has been looking for the truth for a while now. He has read all the scriptures we have assigned for him from the book of mormon. We showed him the restoration dvd that is 20 minutes long and afterwards we asked him how he felt about it. He said that he can relate to joseph smith when he was a boy looking for the truth. my heart was full with the spirit when he said that, he is a good guy and I know he will be baptized by the end of the month, because he has already taken that big leap of faith by coming to church. Everyone in the ward is really nice to him as well! Well family I hope you know that missionary work is the best thing for me to be doing, i am so blessed to have a family like you all! I love each and every one of you! Thanks for all that you do and I know that Jesus is the Christ and that the plan to return to our loving heavenly father is through him. Remember your covenants and have full faith in our savior. I testify that joseph smith was the prophet visited by the father and the son and was asked to restore the truth back to the earth. I would like to committ you my family to read all of joseph smith history once a week. Thats what i do, and I have benefited from it, please do it! We all need to be familiar with the restoration no matter how much we know of it. I love you all so much, this is the real deal and I am so blessed. Keep praying for the work! Love you all! loveyour son, brother and missionaryElder Miller
August 24th-
Howdy Family! It is great to hear from you all! I am very very happy that you had a great trip mom and dad. The baptism was really good, I will confirm him next sunday. But it was a great moment to see this great guy enter into that covenant with god. Well last week we helped one of my favorite members move into their new house down the street. We helped them 6 hours one day and 6 hours the other day. It was good because I got a great work out and they are great people. Well another good thing happend yesterday, we found a potential investigator, he just was sitting there before sacrament, his name is C, He is 31 and said he checked out LDS.org and found the building and wanted to see what our church was like. He is really nice guy, he stayed for all three blocks and the baptism! me and my new comp are gonna teach him on thursday. Man its so cool just to have someone just show up to church and want to learn more. Well Nauvoo looks awesome, I really want to go on a church history tour someday. But thats in 20 months or so! The pictures of the stadiums are just beautiful! I rode my bike past football practices by the near by high school and it brought back memories... i still get in a center stance once and a while.. Well the other day we were doing service at the thrift store and i bought a tie there, it is a awesome tie that is really sharp, i looked on the back of the tie while determining whether or not to buy it. The brand of the tie is Luis Vuitton! haha I got it for 1.50 and it is my favorite tie now and it is probably worth like 150 bucks. But moving on from that moment. I am so happy you two returned home safely from nauvoo.Well family I love my mission and I am buliding and becoming a great person. The mission is the best thing I have ever been called to do. I believe I was foreordained by god to serve a mission. Well I want you all to know that I know that I am doing a great work and that we are living in a time of greatness. We know that the lord has restored the truth through a living prophet. And that a curious young boy acted on his desire to know the truth and that he was visited by the father and the son to bring in the last great gathering. I know that jesus is the christ and he is the redeemer of all mankind. I know that he was sent by a loving heavenly father who knows us personally. I testify that the book of mormon is the word of god and that Joseph Smith was chosen to translate the plates. I bear witness that Jesus Christ did perform the atonement and did set the example for us to become like him to get to the father. I know this is true and say it in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Okay so for all of those who read this I am sorry I am a little behind on Posting this. This will be the last two weeks of letters.
Aug. 17th 2009-
Happy 25 mom and dad! Well I am glad you got your package. I'm really am blessed to have the gospel in our family and to know that we are sealed together for all time and eternity. Well dad, i am shocked that Mcnabb would want him but Donovan is one of the good guys of the league, not a T.o. or a Chad Johnson. Ian johnson will be the third down guy for the vikings, he is a weapon. Fresno eh? that must of been cool. Yeah football season is starting down here in houston, the high schools around here share a football stadium that is at the school district offices, it is in ground and it is sweet, it is like a mini- college stadium, press boxes that are outstanding, and it is football country! One of the members in our ward , he is in his sixties, he joined the church 12 years ago and is very active and very awesome, he played fullback for RICE in the sixties. He drives and 06 mustang and he took us out to dinner the other night. I feel way older now out of high school because i am not going to school next week like everyone else, I am a different person already and when I get home i will be a better Loren James. The mission is an eye opening experience, i mean we walk by drunk people on the streets and knock on apartments that are not safe. Thanks for all your prayers, i do feel them as I go about serving the lord. Read the book of mormon and pray about it dad, go slow, just do it! i love you so much! your my hero, thanks for honoring your priesthood and showing me the way! Well mom, i hope you forget about everything and have fun and enjoy the spiritual and exciting journey this week. You deserve it! Missionaries are some of the reasons why people come back, we are working with people here that have fallen away. I love the work I am doing and the scriptures that i have encountered, this week will go by fast and it might be my last week with Elder G, or maybe my last week in Spring Branch, well at the end of the week we are having a baptism on sunday after church, his name is "K", 30 years old, and ready for the steps toward becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ. He was prepared by the lord to recieve the message that we share. Elder G is baptizing him, and I am confirming him the next sunday. I am excited to see one of the lords children start the journey back the right way. I am way interested in genealogy and want to get into that after my mission, like get way into it! I do emailing at a community college, it is like a SLCC with different campuses. Mom and dad and lexie and emily and josh and stellar and rainy, i love you all and wish you the best on all your separate journeys this week, love everyone as thyself, never be afraid to share the unique message that we know is to be true. I know that a young boy in new york in 1820 was called of god to restore the priesthood keys and christs true church on the earth, and the final piece to the fulness of the gospel, the book of mormon. I love everyone, I love you mom and dad for starting the thing i love the most, the miller family. I am grateful to know that we have a loving heavenly father who has consecrated the family as the most important social unit in the world. Our family is special because of the way we follow the teachings and apply them to our life. We are different because we rise above the rest to be a family of the lord. 25 years down, eternity to go! Thanks for everything! happy birthday JOSH! and be safe Hemming family! Tell all my friends on facebook to write me ! I want some info on how everyone is doing! My family be safe and prayerful and pray for faith in all things! I love you Your son, your brother, and missionary Elder Loren James Miller
August 10th 2009-
Hey Family! Well its been a good week this week even though its been tough with a lot of people out of town to teach! But I got some exciting news, we are having a baptism on Aug. 22nd! We met him last sunday, his name is "K", he lives with a member family that is way active and are converts themselves of like 18 years. "K" is 30 and has had a rough life and is a very smart person and very committed to the gospel, he reads the book of mormon and watches the book of mormon cartoon movies with the family and knows all about whats going on! its crazy, the members truly made a difference by teaching him things while we werent there. He loves coming to church and really wants to be baptized by that right authority, so it is very humbling and exciting to see one of gods children be baptized. What grade will lexie be in? 4th? geez its so crazy that school is starting and I have been out here for 3 months?! Thanks for sending the package! and i will be sending something to you soon in the mail. The heat has been awful because its august, on saturday we went to every member home that lives near us because our area is spread out. and nobody was home, so we were in the sun all day! yikes we drank water so dont worry. well transfer date is August 26, it is a wednesday and thats when we move around to our new areas if we are being transfered. we find out where we are going through calls from our Zone leaders, on the saturday before hand, so the 22nd! so you will know where I am going, I think its 50/50 if i am staying or going, Elder G is gone he will move to a new area because he has been in this area his whole mission. There is rumors flying around that my area will combine with the other two elders so there would be only two elders in the ward. Take lots of pictures in nauvoo, and send them to me! I want to go on a church history tour someday, I will someday do that. Elder G's family just did it and sent pictures of it, it looks really cool. I hope you two have the best trip ever, you both need it! What picture do you use for my plaque? Who is going to be starting for BOise state this year dad? How is tampa bay? Anything you guys want from houston? I know that this is the restored gospel and that things are going up for me and the people here as long as i teach with power and conviction. I love the restoration of the gospel and teaching it. I would ask you to continue to pray and read the book of mormon and to love one another! I will send you that package soon and I love each and everyone of you! I truly am blessed to be the son of a great family and to serve the lord for two years! Dad I will always be your best friend! Mom I love you and miss your food! Lexie go to bed on time and read the book of mormon and get ready for school! Well I gotta get going ! Until Next time! Take care and god bless Elder Miller 1 NE 10:18-21

July 27th and August 3rd

8/3-

Hey Family! Well it has been a good week this week and the transfer is half way over, it is flying by! its already august! Wow! when is your trip to Nauvoo? Well We are pressing forward and working hard to try and find when we teach and teach when we find. We have one progressing investigator and a lot of potential ones, and we have a new one that we got yesterday who just moved in with a member who has learned a lot already from the member and we committed him to be baptized in a month or so, and i think he is really prepared and he is really open. My companion is really good, he is really anxious to get out of our area, since being here for 7 1/2 months is a little weird, rumor has it that me and him will both leave after this transfer and give our area to the southside elders so there will be only two elders in the ward. but that is just a rumor. The apartment is amazing, i am learning a lot from elder b and elder w, i am becoming a "restorationist"! just like they are because they love joseph smith and his teachings. I am loving my time here in houston, it is awesome. The best part is just coming home at the end of the day and just knowing that i left a spiritual imprint on the heart of those i teach. The worst part is when our appointments fall through and we try to think of ideas that would make us effective with our time. I got my shoes this past week and thank you so much for those. I am getting pretty good at riding a bike here, its kind of weird but its all good. I know that you all are really doing good while i am here, the lord has confirmed it through thoughts and feelings i have had. You have no idea how grateful I am for you guys and how special it is to know my family is supporting me a 110 percent. I would ask you to read together everyday, pray and then do scripture study, I mean all you guys in the home do it together, study out of preach my gospel. READ THE BOOK OF MORMON!! it is so so important. I have decided on my favorite General Authorities of all time, they are all amazing men but i have three that stick out to me, 1. President Eyring, 2. Joseph Smith 3. Elder Bednar. I love hearing their talks and reading about them in the ensign. Elder B's favorite General authority is Neal A. Maxwell. Elder W's favorite is Joseph Smith. Haha kind of weird but its a missionary thing. I read today the chapter that sums up my feelings as a missionary, ALMA 29, the whole thing read it and pray about it. I hope you guys know that I love everyone of you so so much! Be prayerful and love everyone because we are all children of a loving heavenly father who has given us many things: Joseph smith, a prophet called of god who restored the gospel of jesus christ, the family, the book of mormon, and modern day prophets and more and more things. Remember who you are and forever what you becoming to be. Attend the temple and have FHE anyday of the week. Read the proclamation of the family, do all you can to soak up the knowledge of the gospel. I love you all so so very much! Represent the lord and his church! With so much Love Elder Miller

7/27

Dear Family!

Well I hope you are all having fun in Northern Idaho and in southern idaho or wherever the wind may take you haha. Seems like ever since I left things are going smooth and great with you all. I loved the videos of stellar, it was so crazy to watch them and remember that he was just a little guy with big thick legs crawling to a guy running around with a dog in the background. i am still in awe over the dog in the house, i never thought i would see the day! well here in texas it is about 105 degrees in the heat index! I am fine with everything right now, i might buy some slacks to bike in that are on clearance. but other than that I am doing great. I cut my own hair last night mostly by myself and it looks really good.! hope josh is proud of me! We have a baptismal date for one of our investigators on september 12th. He has some big steps to change but he wants to be a part of the church. Our mission president has told us that we need to extend the baptismal committment in the first lesson so that we can convey the message of the restoration with power and authority. To let the people we teach know that the heavans are opened and that they can enter the waters of baptism and start that journey towards the gift of eternal life. With that direction from our president elder G and I committed someone else to baptism after teaching her and answering questions and I looked at her and said if you read the book of mormon, the holy ghost I promise you that he will let you know that these things are true by reading and praying. She then looks at me and asks do you know it is true? I then with the spirit present and feeling its power told her yes without question this is the evidence that we hold the fulness of the gospel and the book of mormon is true, i have read it cover to cover twice. Then Elder G extended the baptismal committment and she said once I read this and know it is true, of course I will get baptized. This lady is a temple square referral and we have been trying to get in contact with her for 4 weeks. She knows a lot about the church and she loves our standards and loves the salt lake temple. I know that she will be baptized, i have full faith in her and that the lord will reveal unto her the truth of all things with her reading the book of mormon and praying. We are working hard everyday to spread the gospel, mom and dad spread the gospel to everyone! Members here in my ward area are not really working on spreading it and its hard to find people and tracting is not the answer! So help the missionaries in your area! please! The other night we went to a members house, the members name is Bro. B, he is a genius of the church and doctrines, and history, and all that. He has a book that Ezra Taft benson used to own because their is a message to him from Richard L. Evans of the twelve in it. He has a bible that is the same edition of the one joseph smith worked on when he translated it. He has so many books that were once held by prophets and apostles and most are signed by them. It was so cool! I am learning so much about the gospel mom and dad and of prophets and apostles. But any ways I want to read and collect many talks by great men who have hold the position of an apostle or prophet. So things here are so much better because of Elder B. He is so great and wonderful to be around. I am truly changing into something special mom and dad, thanks for teaching me to be humble and to have charity. Dad thanks for the sports updates! but anyways I will send you a tie soon, a new texas one! k? and also a Texas A&M tie! Mom and dad go to the josephsmith website that is new and look at some of the cool things on there! Do you guys need anything? you ask me what i need so i should probably ask you that! I love what I am doing and I have been out for almost 3 months! it is crazy how time is flying by and I know the work is about to go forward and I have a goal and a dream of baptizing a family. That is one of my goals, I want to help a family recieve the restored gospel and help them recieve the blessings which our family has recieved. I want you to all make sure you read everyday out of the book of mormon and to testify of Jesus Christ as much as possible. Bear testimony in fast sunday sacrament meeting! I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living god and that the lord's plan is big enough for all of his children. That we have the fulness of the gospel in these latter days, that the book of mormon is the stick of ephraim that is talked of in Ezekiel 37 in the bible. That it and the bible form the best team of gospel knowledge and it opens the path toward the lord. I am grateful to know what I worship and what my religion is all about, and where I am going and where I came from. I testify of all these things are made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I love you all so much, Never forget to pray before you leave to go anywhere, Feast upon the words of God. Read talks from prophets of the past 50 years on lds.org! Remember the responsibilities as members of the only true church on this earth. I know these things are true and I leave you with the words of king benjamin in mosiah 3 1 And again my brethren, I would call your attention, for I have somewhat more to speak unto you; for behold, I have things to tell you concerning that which is to come. 2 And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an aangel from God. And he said unto me: bAwake; and I awoke, and behold he stood before me. 3 And he said unto me: Awake, and hear the words which I shall tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the aglad tidings of great bjoy. 4 For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy arighteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy. 5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the aLord bOmnipotent who creigneth, who was, and is from all deternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a etabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty fmiracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the gblind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. 6 And he shall cast out adevils, or the bevil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men. 7 And lo, he shall asuffer btemptations, and pain of body, chunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can dsuffer, except it be unto death; for behold, eblood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his fanguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. 8 And he shall be called aJesus bChrist, the cSon of God, the dFather of heaven and earth, the eCreator of all things from the beginning; and his fmother shall be called Mary. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Loren enjoying a MASSIVE burrito from "Freebird"

Loren posing with a sign with our beloved Poco Dog's name on it.

Elder Miller and his Texas flag

These are the last two letters sent to my parents from Elder Miller(Names have been changed or shortened to protect privacy and some of the more personal details have been left out) :

July 20th-

Howdy Family, It is a wonderful day in the northwest part of the city of Houston, I am very happy to hear from all you. Elder B is here now with elder W covering the southside of our ward. They were MTC companions and he was zone leader before getting here. We are continuing to progress and work hard, we bike a lot, like atleast 10-15 miles everyday we are on bikes. It is way hot here, but i still press forward knowing that it is part of it. I never ever complain, i never quit, never stop, like what President Uchtdorf said in conference a few months ago in his talk he talked about the story of Nehemiah, this is what nehemiah said " I am doing a great work and cannot come down!" So Basically I cannot slow down or settle for second place on things. But everything is good here with me, i have what I need. The food is great here, last night this lady made us a harvest of food, it was amazing, she had steak, skewered shrimp, baked potatoes, steamed vegetables, grilled chicken, all off the grill! it was amazing! haha i am getting fed pretty good here! I am working on a tape of me talking about scripture reading and thoughts and cool things i have discovered in the gospel. Just a nice tape to listen to on the way to work or in the house. Heavenly fathers plan is big enough for everyones children. I stopped by a less actives house the other day, she is 71, she hasnt been to church since she was 15, her sister and her joined the church in salt lake when everyone was members there. She has three kids and one of them is a member because he was baptized by one of our long time members in our ward. She is divorced for almost thirty years and lives by herself and her kids are in the surrounding area kinda close except her son who is a member who lives in Arizona. We asked her if we could teach her and stuff and she said that its too late to come back and that she doesnt know what we actually believe. She said she isnt interested in coming back because she is too old. That almost broke me down in tears because I know that everyone can come back and its never too late for ANYONE to come back and enjoy the blessings of this restored gospel. I would ask you my family to pray for this lady. I want to see her come to church before i leave this area. thats my goal. I love each and every one of you, I am glad dad has a pal to hang around with in Trixie, send me a picture of her. Lexie have fun but stay safe in all the things that you do. Mom and Dad I love you so much, without you two I wouldnt be here at all. Thank you for introducing me to the church and raising me in the truth. Dont be afraid to introduce or re-introduce the gospel to family, friends, or anyone in need. I love you and I know that I am doing a great work, a marvelous work and a wonder! Love always! Elder Miller

July 13

Hey Family! Well transfer calls came on saturday and I am staying put with Elder G for 6 more weeks. Elder G and I have had the best week ever! we have like 3 new investigators and taught 15 lessons. One of the lessons, we were biking down the road toward an investigators place and this Semi-truck was parked in a parking lot across the street and he waved us over. He invited us in to his cab and we taught him the first lesson and part of the second lesson. It was so crazy haha, that was the last place I would ever think of teaching someone, he is from San Antonio and passing through but he said he is thinking about attending our church. . My area is one of the ghettoes of houston, it has roach coaches(mexican taco trucks) on every corner. It is all good though. So its funny the heat is crazy it was humid as heck! it was 104 and i biked 25 miles the other day and oh man I was drenched with sweat. but we did a lot of work that day and we are working way hard. You are right about missionary work here in houston, it is way ghetto here. you have no idea, people are in such bad condition, most of the people i teach are on welfare or have had government case workers or whatever. The gospel is changing lives and it is the way to happiness in life. It gives hope for others to be better individuals and better children of a loving heavenlyfather. The ward here is not that great, very old and small because of tons of less actives. I am grateful that I know that we have a plan of salvation that we may have the opportunity to live with our families forever! I love you my family and I know you will be watched over as I am here in Texas. I am very blessed to be called of god and to have the authority to minister and preach the everlasting gospel of jesus christ. The people definately need the gospel here and I am working so hard, so so hard. I am busting my butt for the work, this experience means the world to me and I am excited to move forward. The time is flying by! We are really busy here and that makes time go by quick. I know that jesus christ is the son of god, the savior of all mankind and that we are all part of heavenly fathers plan. Remember my family to work in righteousness and love everyone. Never forget who you are and what your represent, share the gospel with anyone you feel is ready. Go to the temple as much as you can and read the book of mormon at any moment of time that you have available. I promise you great blessings my family, I am so happy to know that we are sealed together as a family. Dont ever let go of your testimony of Jesus christ and this gospel. Tell all my friends to email me a message or something. Moving on, i hope you know my family how much I care about what I am doing, I know I can be the greatest missionary that I choose to be, but its all up to me. Pray, read, and live the gospel! I love you all so very very much! Elder Loren James Miller

Catch up!

Okay so I have felt like a horrible sister, am so behind blogging for Loren. We have got quite a few updates and Letters on him and I need to let everybody know about it. So hear we go...

The Texas Houston Mission has a newsletter called " The Vision" and the mission home sent us a copy, Loren was in a picture with all the other new missionary arrivals. I can't seem to get the picture on this blog though, so you will just have to imagine Loren's sweet smiling face amongst a dozen other new elders and a sister missionary.

Loren's last two letters were more "real" to me. He included some experiences that he is having with other Elders, experiences with investigators, feelings he was having, what the weather was like and how he was coping. He was past the "la la la everything is wonderful" feeling. He still is constantly learning and growing in his testimony of the Savior, the atonement and many other big things, but he is having real life experiences to go along with it. He is past the MTC stage and has now hit the nitty gritty work of a mission. He is riding his bike in 101 degree weather plus humidity. He is teaching a woman who is trying to quit smoking, and has already quit drinking and doing drugs. He said he was able to go to the Houston temple. All and all I think he is really enjoying his time. I love him and I am so proud.

Elder Miller

Loren with his companion at the temple.

After riding his bike, notice the sweat running down his face.

Just a fun one!

A call home...

On Wednesday the 17th Loren was able to call home from the Salt Lake airport before he left for Houston. Loren was very positive and upbeat. The tone in his voice was very different. He was very calm and patient when he spoke, and for any of you who know Loren, those to qualities were not ones he had conquered before his mission. He told us about the precautions that the MTC was following, due to the fact that there were a few elders that had the swine flu there.He talked about how good the food was and how much he had loved being at the MTC. He wanted to know how his friends and extended family were doing.He was very inspirational and definitely in the teaching mode-sharing scriptures with us and his testimony. He was rearing to go!

Letters from the MTC

Loren has reached the end of his stay at the MTC, however, he has had to sty an extra week due to the fact that there has been Elders there that have had the Swine Flu. He is not sure how much longer he will have to stay it could be this week or possibly the 15th. I thought I would post some of the things he has wrote in his last few letters. He has done really well writing to all of us and hopefully he will keep up the good work. So here are some of the less personal, but nonetheless informational and good things from his letters.
June 4th-
It is week 3 and a half, I wish I was in Houston but oh well, It is really hectic here because there is so many missionaries here and not enough room. Its like we are in a layover in an airport, like we have no idea what the next day is going to be like. I love being a missionary though, It is really good to be wearing the saviors name on my badge.. This past tuesday, Elder Walter F. Gonzalez from the presidency of the first quorum of the seventy was here. He was really good and I am really glad I am not sick here at the MTC. So I dont know exactly when I am 100 percent leaving here, maybe monday or tuesday. Or maybe the 15th, I am completely in confusion sometimes here. We dont even have teachers anymore because they are moved on to the new elders that took our spots.Once I know for sure I am leaving I will let you know some how and the day I am leaving. So I love being a missionary and I am so grateful for being here and working hard for the Savior and His gospel. I am improving everyday here and im more obedient and more in tune with everything. It is a blessing to know that the gospel is in my home in idaho. God does live and does blesses our family everyday. It is so cool too, I havent felt homesick at all, which is good because it is very hard for some elders.

June 1st- So today is monday, the June 1st, two days before june 3rd which is when i am leaving. But due to the major outbreak of the flu, The MTC isn't letting anyone leave this week. It is absolutely crazy, this morning we had time to pack up our luggage, and I had about 80 percent packed then.Then on our way to lunch, we stopped at the travel offices because we heard a rumor about some elders not being able to leave this morning. So it said on the door, that nobody will be leaving this week! I was devastated, and my whole district felt down. But anyway I am totally not sick, fully healthy and yeah I gotta totally and fully unpack! HAHA, So I am here for one week maybe two, I am pretty sure I am here for another week. I seriously cannot wait to go to TEXAS, but I know that this was supposed to happen. It is a way serious thing here at the MTC, all missionaries that are coming in this wednesday (500) cant have there parents come into the MTC at all. And also there has been like 5 cases of serious influenza like H1 and H2. Sometimes they are a little too excessive on the seriousness of it. I mean its the Flu, just tell the missionaries to stay in the rooms for the day and sleep. But anywho, I am very blessed to be here for another week even though I should be gone. I get to refine my skills a little bit and eat good food and enjoy having a good companion. I am very excited to be a representative of Jesus Christ, Our Savior and our Redeemer.
May 28th-
So I am sitting here in the wonderful mtc laundry room on this computer next to my companion and just in awe about how fast this experience is here. I got my flight plans last friday, I leave the mtc at like 630 am then i head to the airport and i leave to houston on delta airlines at 10:05 am, on wednesday june 3rd. I arrive in houston at about 2:05 pm, central time so three hours aint too bad. I have to pay about 40 bucks for bag checks because its delta! But anyways I love my companion, he is like my brother, we got each others backs and we look out for each other. I am glad we got a lot in common, we are so unified in our teaching its incredible. So after the first week of just packing in the first lesson, We moved on to the second lesson, which is easier because we know how to study and teach to the needs of investigators. Every tuesday and friday we teach mock investigators here. We do very good but the only reason why is because the spirit guides us. Without the spirit there we would like a bunch of idiots that are all nervous. I have made a lot of new friends. So we have gym time like 4 times a week, and the other day the basketball gym re-opened after maintenance. My companion loves basketball just like I do, we did a game of texas vs. iowa. We can only play three on three, so we had two elders rotate in every time someone score. I only sat out once, just because I never got tired, I cant believe im in shape because I eat so much!! haha yeah I felt like Paul Milsap of the Jazz, and my companion was like Deron Williams of the Jazz. We play good together. I am a much different type of basketball player this time, i out hustle everyone and do all the grunt work of the low post, dad would be proud of me.So this past tuesday, was the devotional and it was Elder Callister of the seventy, he spoke at snow last september, he is really amazing. He talked about the Atonement. I am soaking up the knowledge here at the MTC, its like i am sponge, I am turning into a good listener and a really caring person. I have a lot of scripture references memorized. Its so amazing, the gospel and missionary work. I love it, and I cant wait till next thursday when I am officially out in the field for the first full day. I cant wait to leave here, because its kinda annoying sometimes, I want to teach "real people."
So that is all I have for now. I will keep everyone posted on whether or not Loren will leave this week. For his sake I hope he does, because it is obvious he is itching to get out and teach.

The first letter...

I am assuming Loren wrote this on his P-Day, which is Thursday. His letter started out with"Dear My Loving Mother"- he goes on to say that he is safe and sound, that the MTC is amazing and that the day(wednesday, his first day) flew by. He said he is happy and has a good companion. He is in a District with some other missionaries going to Houston as well as to Des Moines Iowa. Loren wanted to make sure to tell my Dad that the food there was the best cafeteria food he had ever tasted. He closed by saying that he was not Homesick(thank goodness) and that he loved his family, The Savior and the Gospel.
A short sweet letter.

The MTC

Loren went into the MTC on Wednesday May 13. So my little family-Josh, Rainy, Stellar and I with my My Parents, Lexie and Loren all caravan-ed down to Utah to drop Loren off. We left on Tuesday Morning. After we arrived some of our family friends in Utah watched Stellar, Rainy and Lexie while the adults went to the temple. We went to the Jordan River temple. It was so nice. I loved being in the temple with everybody there. We had a really nice time. So thank you Brian and Candy for watching our children for us. We appreciated it!
Then Wednesday morning came. We all headed down to Provo. Josh and I Josh dropped our kids off at his Aunt Lauri and Uncle Paul's house. They live about 5 minutes away from the MTC. The kids had a great time with them and we were so glad they had a place to go. The children that were at the MTC that morning really seemed to be an interruption. So we were glad we didnt have to worry about that.So Thank thank thank you to them.
The MTC had such a great, upbeat and positive feeling there. Everybody was so happy there. When we arrived Loren dropped off his luggage then we went to go take the usual pictures by the MTC sign and took lots of pictures as we walked around the grounds. Then we headed in the front door where the missionaries go in one side and the family in the other. This is when Loren recieved his tag. Because of Swine flu they wanted to limit the physical contact between everybody. So they limited handshakes and such. At this point we gave hugs and and said our good byes and then we headed to a big room where there was some speakers and a video on the MTC . Then that was it, all the missionaries headed out their designated doors. We all gave a quick hug to Loren before he left, although we probably weren't suppoosed to. The Man who spoke to us was a member of the Presidency of the MTC, he told us to make our goodbyes with our missionary like removing a bandaid-quick. So that is what we did. I was so proud of our family, we had a lot more control over our emotions then I thought we would.Although I wasn't with my parents or Lexie on the ride home. But I have heard of Mother's holding on to the pant leg of their elder as they were leaving, and I know none of us did that, so that is good. I feel bad that I dont have much to say. But it was so short and sweet I that I just don't have much.

The farewell...

Sunday May 10th was Loren's Farewell, and Mother's day, yep a double doozy. But, we all did good. Minimal tears from a family of complete bawl babies. Loren commented on how he took a public speaking class this last semester at school, and I think it really helped. Loren did AWESOME on his talk! I was so proud of him. He spoke on reverence and respect. He shared a few life experiences, one from when he was a deacon and had been goofing off with the other deacons in the ward during the preparation and the passing of the sacrament for a couple of weeks. Until one day when the priests from the ward pulled the deacons aside and told them to pulled together and stressed the importance and sacredness of the sacrament. It had taught him about reverence and respect.As Loren was sharing this story, I couldn't believe that my little brother, my little immature, deacon brother ,was a man now. A man going on a mission.

Loren and I at the party, We look so old.

Immediately afterwards he was set apart as a full time missionary. As he was being set apart the Stake Pres. in the blessing said some really neat things.It was a cool experience, minus Stellar screaming in my ear the whole time.

Loren with his Build-A-Bear missionary, one of his friends in Utah works there and made it for him.

After this we all went to my parents house for a Open House. We had yummy food, and lots of family and friends there. It was really nice to have everybody there, their love and support was definitely felt for Loren. I can't help but mention how neat it was to have my Dad's two best friends there. Randy Braden and Matt Brewster. These men mean a lot to me. They are both great friends to my Dad, both honorable priesthood holders and have been great examples to him, as well as support. In return my Dad has been a tremendous example to my brother, and myself.With my Dad being a convert to the church it is nice to have friends who are there to support him during these special times in our lives.

Randy Braden, My Dad, Matt brewster("Brewster")
Loren and his friend Jake, Jake and Loren went to High School together. Jake drove up to see him, which was very sweet and we were all thankful that he did.(He is going to school to be a massage therapist and gives a great neck rub!;)

The day of the call...

Me seeing if I could telepathically read where he was going.
Just so you know my telepathic abilities don't exist.

Loren reading his call.

Loren opened his call February 5th, 2009. The call came that day, we had all waited all week, VERY impatiently. The week was filled with mixed emotions, excitement, sadness(mostly felt by mom), anxiousness, nervousness, we were all REALLY ready for Loren to open it!I was so nervous, and anxious, so much so that I could not help pacing around. Loren flew home to Boise that night and of course his plane was delayed.We put the little kids to bed, to let them get some sleep. We were all waiting at Mom and Dad's house for him to arrive.Loren finally arrived very late, we woke the kids up and we all sat around on the couch in anticipation. Loren bore his testimony and shared a scripture with us. The spirit was very strong as we watched this man stand before us, that not so long ago was a boy. We were all sure he was going to some foreign land, but as he read his call to the Texas Houston Mission we were all overcome with a feeling of comfort knowing he was headed right where he needed to go, a place just for him. A place to grow,learn and teach others. Tears streamed down his face and of course down Mom's too. It was such a special night. I will remember it forever.I am so eternally grateful to my Brother for the decision he has made to go on his mission. He will be and already is setting such an incredible example to our family. He has become such a strength to all of us. I love you Loren, we all do.

The next evening Loren revealed where he would be going to our extended family. Our parents fixed dinner for all of them. They had ribs and all the fixens' has a hint to where he would be going.

It has begun...

This blog is dedicated to the Journey of Loren Miller through his Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He has been called to the Texas Houston Mission and will be reporting to the MTC on May 13 2009.I am Emily(Miller)Hemming, Loren's sister and I will be documenting this journey on this blog the best I can. Hopefully I can help keep family and friends updated on what Loren is doing while he is out on his mission.I am planning on him sending his letters to me or our parents and I will share his experiences with all of you.