Loren and one of his fellow Elders

Some gifts from friends and family

Loren at the Chiropractor

Loren's little tree

So cute!

Toys for a service project

Some missionaries from the area

So christmas has come and gone and we got to talk to Elder Miller. We got a nice long talk with him, all of us got some time and he sounded really good. He seemed anxious to move into his area which was supposed to happen a couple days after christmas. He had been in the same area for about 7 months- which was forever! Although I was excited to talk to him. I could have done without the chat with him. It was like opening an old wound for me. Because i really miss him.

Here are his last few letters.

Jan. 4th
Dear Family,

Well, whats next? haha Everything is changing! I am not shocked by emily's move. I know it is tough for you . I mean look at the fruits of that change, things are going to go great for them. I feel like every month of my mission things just change at home so I am kind of used to it!
Well transferring to this new area is a blessing! oh man, it is a dream! The wards I am serving in are amazing, they love missionaries and they are so into missionary work its crazy. We have two solid investigators that are both in high school! one is getting baptized in june and she bore her testimony yesterday and I was blown away, it was all because her friend took her to church and the ward really embraced her. The other investigator is dating a girl who is in the ward, he will get baptized soon, that ward is a dream to be in. I love my new compnanion elder h, he is full of energy and is excited, we fit together perfectly. He is really obedient and really likes to do his best and not waste this missionary experience.

So the transfer has been a blessing to me for the hard work and endurance in my last area. i am trying to lose weight! I am in an all car area, and I drive a 2010 toyota corrolla, with only 1500 miles on it! it is so much fun here in this area, it is so active and so pro active and upbeat. Also the boise state game is tonight and everyone in the mission even members are like telling me how exciting it is going to be! It is tough! root for the broncos for me! go orange and blue.

A wise missionary that I am friends with out here who is going home soon said this about god, "Without commandments we can not know god". God is not an author of confusion, Jospeh smith knew that and he prayed to know what is true and who god is. God is an exalted man, we have the opportunity to become like him, the way is through christ. Mom and dad I love you and I thank you for everything you do for me, I am blessed to know that you are there being active and doing all you can to help me. I love you and I testify to you that Jesus is the christ, that his atonement helps us go back, to be back at one with the father. Never think of repentance as a horrible thing it is a gift from god. Pleas mom and dad continue to read the book of mormon together, and it will help you with all your daily needs and adversity. I love you all so very very much! Please be safe!

Love always
Elder Loren James Miller



Dec.28th
Good day family!

Well I got some pretty good news, I am getting transferred, to a new area in a new zone. My area borders the Temple. It is so cool! My new companion is Elder H, I am moving to the new area on wednesday because it is tranfer day. I don't know anything about Elder H, but I will tell you next week.

It was certainly a crazy experience to talk to you all on the phone on Christmas. I felt like i was breaking the rules at the beginning because everyday you just want to call family and tell them how things are going but you cant so I am use to that. It is great to know how all of you are doing and to hear your voices! I felt so bad about Rainy, it broke my heart, to hear her cry and not be able to talk to her more and more. But it is fine, in 4 1/2 months I will talk to her. I miss her so much, and stellar too, I wish I could be there to see how they are doing and to see them grow up.
The other christmas gifts are so great, I really am happy that I got all those great gifts, I am writing thank you cards today mom, haha don't worry! To hear from dad about him giving a book of mormon away, is so touching to me. He is spreading truth and eternal knowledge to those people, not just a book. He is such a great example to me, I love you dad, you are doing wonders and I am grateful that you sent me pictures of the Utes. The book of mormon reading is great mom, I carry a pocket size book of mormon now, I use it for teaching sometimes plus it helps with my back, haha instead of carrying my quad.

I loved the calendar you made me, it was just what I needed and I am grateful to talk to Josh as well on Christmas. I miss Josh a lot after that conversation we had, but I know he is doing good. Well yesterday we had an appointment with a family that spanish elders found, we taught them on their door step, just the father and son, then the mom came out and listened to us and she broke down in tears. Then they let us in to teach them more and read from the book of mormon. This family was listening to us bear our testimony of the gospel and the book of mormon being a comforting tool. We taught them about praying together as a family to recieve guidance and comfort from Heavenly father. The spirit was really present, oh man, it was crazy, the mom was in tears the whole time. Earlier that week, her son who is 16 i think had a seizure and the whole family is just stressed out. She asked us why all these bad things are happening, I read the scripture to her ether 12:27 then I read to her about christ suffered everything and he knows what we are going through because I read to her alma 7:11-12. This family wants to know more and more and is ready to change. They understand how are church holds the whole truth because it was restored through a prophet from christ himself. The book of mormon does miracles, it answers deep questions of the soul, it is here for our day and for the rest of eternity. Never take it for granted, it is the most powerful tool for conversion and I testify that it is true, I know that it has helped me be the best missionary I can be. I love my mission and I am excited for the new change, I am ready to do it, to lengthen my stride even more. I am blessed to know that I have a loving family at home who loves me and supports me. This mission would not be possible without you all, thank you for taking me to church and dad thank you for taking me to young mens when I was younger than 12, it taught me about being mature and learning. Dad your my best friend and mom I love you so much for your testimony. Lexie, read the book of mormon first before playing Wii, your lucky, dont forget your household chores and your school work. Emily and family, stay strong and you will be all good. I will have more to write about next week when I am in a new area! I love you and miss you, I serve with our family name on my chest just above the redeemers name, jesus christ.

Love always
Elder Loren James Miller


Dec.21st
Good Day!

Hey family, im so excited to call you this week!! Well I am also a little impatient! But it will be a great day to hear your voices! It has been good here, I am ready for a change though. I pinched a nerve in my lower back at the service activity last friday, I went to a chiropractor the other day, and today I am going there. It has been tough because I can't really tie my shoes without help or ride a bike that well.

But yeah, The transfer call will be coming this saturday night, I am really praying and feeling like I am going to get trasnferred. I need a refresh! R will probably be baptized january 3, which is great! We have been working with him for the past few months, he has a little bit of cold feet because he feels like he doesnt know enough, but you dont need to know everything to be a member of the church, if you knew everything than whats the point of church? But he is great!

It was great to get packages. I definately feel special with those gifts. I am so grateful for the love I recieve from the people that know me the best, I have felt very blessed the past 7 months. I have learned that to be blessed and happy, I must be obedient with exactness, that means I must follow the rules of the mission. I am going to call probably at 7 my time, but 6 o clock your time. We are using our cell phones so after 7 o clock its free, so that is why I am calling at that time. I have one hour to talk, that is the rule, I want to be obedient, I want to be on the lord's side, and a little disobedience can take me off his side. So lets make the best of it. If I hear a rule change or anything else, please stay alert by your phones during the day in case I can call from a members phone earlier in the day. I want to talk to you all that are there, but first and foremost, you mom and dad and my sisters. Also my niece and nephew and brother in law. Maybe I can bear my testimony on speaker phone to those that are there and tell them how much I love them. But please don't worry about the phone call, it will happen, just stay posted, most likely it will be after 3 pm, no later than 7 your time.


I love you all so very much and I am excited for the friday phone call, It is the gift I seek the most this christmas, the voices from all of you. I testify that christ's gospel is back, it has been restored by the foreordained prophet Joseph Smith Jr. and that our family is eternal. Read the book of mormon, it is the word of god, nourish it and pray for the knowledge and guidance from it to fill your hearts with love from him. Please stay safe and remember what christmas is all about!

cant wait for the call!

"...I want my phone call"
-joker(dark knight)

Love always
Elder Loren James Miller

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!!