Here is Elder Miller and his companion. I was so excited to read his emails the last two weeks, he has been so happy.I have felt that he seems comfortable in his role as a missionary and as an independant adult. I have enjoyed seeing some of his sense of humor through is last few letters. I think up until now he has been adjusting and I think this new area he is in is allowing him to blossom. I am so grateful for the members feeding my brother too, it made me so happy that they have members feeding them all month! I am so proud of him and am grateful for his example and strength. Oh and I also think it is hilarious to read about him getting pulled over AGAIN! and this time for LOITERING!?

Feb.21st-
Dear Mom,

I am doing great, things are really looking up here in this area which I am serving in. But we got a call from the Assistants last week saying that they are probably taking our car away at the end of the transfer. Which is kind of a weird idea because we cover two wards and the other ward is 5 miles from our apartment.We will see what happens, I really love my area, it has been a blessing to serve here. Elder H is doing really good, I have really enjoyed him the past two months and he is such a great kid. The baptism was amazing, we used the chapel because a lot of high schoolers came to it, and there was two musical numbers. N's family came and it was exciting to see them there and take in a new experience of a baptism.

I absolutely loved looking at the pictures of the babies, they are so big! I feel like I am missing out on a lot but I know that there is so much more time in the future for me to be a part of their lives.

This past week we have spent a lot of time finding, we need more people to teach and our areas have been tracted out so many times. They are considerably small areas too, but still we are still trying to find people because it shows that we are diligent in finding the prepared ones. Yeah about god talking to prophets, he spoke to adam in the garden and gave him instruction. He also taught moses as well and I would have you look up in the bible dictionary about prophets or dispensation. It is interesting how crucial a prophet has been in the history of mankind. I have not receieved my priesthood lineage at all! I am pretty frustrated because it has been months, but I will figure it out, I will email back.

But anyhow, I am blessed mom to have a great family back at home and to know you are immersing yourself in the things we all should be doing. The scriptures are the words of god to us and never take them for granted. I am blessed to serve a mission and to be on the lord's errand. I testify to you and to all that might read this that Jesus christ is the savior and our redeemer and that we should be the example to others so that they might know of him. I love you mom so very much and I thank you for all the time and money you have spent helping me become who I am today.


Love Always
Your son
Elder Loren James Miller

Feb.15th-

Dear Family,
What an exciting email that I am replying to, a lot of big things are happening in our families. It did not snow here, I really cant wait for the sun to shine more here though. Well I really am so happy about that Valentines day package, it was very creative and I will find a night when we have time to make it. The next month and a half we have dinner with a member every night so it will be probably a lunch thing. But seriously thank you so much for the package and I will definately enjoy it.

I hit 9 months on saturday and boy it is going by so fast, you are absolutely right about that dad, those who are not totally invested or lost in the work will have a slow time. It is all about the attitude and testimony you have of christ that makes you want to keep going and do everything the right way. My companion and I get along great.

So I got pulled over last thursday night, it was weird, we had a dinner appointment and we parked across the street from the house. We got done with dinner and we went out to our car and we sat in the car and listened to a voicemail. After we got done we drove up the street and I stopped and then I drove more and forgot to turn on a street so the street I was currently on turned into a culdasac. We did a turn around in the culdasac and saw that those cop lights were flashing me and so I parked. The cop came up to me and asked me if I was lost and I told him that I am a little bit newer to the area. He told me that I looked suspicious and that I was loitering the neighborhood and didnt not completely stop at a stop sign. He saw my drivers license and told me about how he is only giving me a warning. He told me that he was just trying to protect the neighborhood and that he doesnt want us to go driving around like we are suspicious. I told him "sir, we are on the Lord's errand, we do not waste his time". He then kind of got a little humbled and said have a good evening. I might have been out of line on my comment to him but he was a little bit ridiculous about the loitering thing being that I wasnt speeding or runnning into things and that I am a missionary from our church. But oh well, thats how bad it is in the world, not a lot of people know that Christs church is on the earth and that he has young men serving him.

We are doing pretty good, N's baptism is this saturday and I am so excited and he is just golden and ready to be baptized. I love the area I am in because of the great members who are helping us out so much, the other night a member gave us 80 dollars worth of groceries, and so we didnt have to go grocery shopping today! YAY! The work is moving forward and the members are the reason for that.

Thank you mom and dad and lexie and emily for all that you have done, I love you all so much! I am so grateful that you are all happy and doing the best you can and are doing it the right way. Thanks for helping me get on a mission and doing what I NEED to be doing, this is the best experience I have ever had. I love you all and testify to you that god lives and that his son is the redeemer and that we need to all come unto him to recieve the blessings that are there for us if we do so. I love you all so much and always be on the lords side.

Love always
Elder Loren J. Miller

It was great to see Loren be so upbeat in these letters. He seems very happy in his new area. I am grateful for the people in his area feeding him and enjoying him. I can tell he is enjoying his work and the people he serves.

Dear Mom and Dad!
Well we are doing some great work here, we worked really hard this past week. We are seeing our hard work pay off and we had someone come to church and want to be taught the lessons! It was sweet, but we will see how it goes, the lord sends his prepared people to his prepared servants.

So I gave a talk in one of the wards I serve in, it is a good area and good people but the ward hasn't had a baptism in almost two years. The ward is trying to improve and to be more missionary focused and thats what my talk was about. I didnt look at my paper once to read it, it was all looking at the congregation. It was a great talk because I didn't just stand up there and read my talk but I really wanted to get the message across that anyone can do missionary work. The wards here are pretty good wards but the other ward that I serve in is a dream. The ward is all about missionary work and they do anything to help people be baptized. It is my favorite ward, it is so much fun and so much opportunities here. All the families are really great to be around. There is an old hispanic lady that will feed us any day of the week and she calls us babies, and she is this little grandma lady that is fiesty hahah. There are families that gave us a bunch of groceries when we stop by and it was cool because last week this one member gave me three boxes of cinammon toast crunch. Then gave us 8 boxes of macaroni and cheese! We really dont have to go get a whole lot from the store this week which is always great!

Well when people ask me the basic questions, I say I have been out for almost 9 months and I am from Boise, Idaho because I basically grew up there. I like to say boise because of Boise State football haha. I am trying my hardest to get the pictures thing taken care of, I am not a good photographer, I am just so busy to take pictures. Missionary work takes a lot of time!

Well I had interviews last week with president, we have them once a transfer, this transfer is over after this week.I think Elder H and I might be staying together for one more but who knows. President was very excited and happy about me, he was quite impressed! I am just happy that I am not a burden for him to deal with.
Well mom and dad and lexie and whoever reads this, I love you all so very much and I tell you with my heart that god lives and his restoration is powerful. The savior loves us all so much if we would love and have faith in him we can do anything possible. I love my mission, it means everything to me! I am working hard! Thanks for the support and everything that you have helped me accomplish! I wouldn't be here without you! I testify that the atonement is real and that we can come clean through it. The book of mormon changes lives, it is so powerful, never take it for granted! I love you all so much. Be safe and loving.

Sincerely your missionary

Elder Loren James Miller

January 25th, 2010

Hey everyone!
I am great! R from my last area got baptized yesterday! YAY! I got permission to go to it and even president and sister H were there. I am so happy for R and his path that he is on! Other than that everything is going so good, I am definately changing and growing up and helping others come unto Christ.
So I got your package today and I absolutely loved everything! Thank you so much for everything, I am truly grateful for that package and we will enjoy it! We are working hard and working extra diligently because our calling is so important. It is really about obedience mom and dad, it all comes down to whos side are you on? the lords side or the other side, there is no middle ground. I have been the happiest by my committment to the mission rules and the commandments. But I am converted to the work, this is a great work and important work. I am dealing with people's eternities, nothing else should matter than the missionary work. I have been working my heart out to help everyone. I have been carried by the spirit in many ways. But the principle of obedience has kept me safe since I was younger, I owe you mom and dad for that christlike attribute.
In Preach My gospel, I have been studying the christlike attributes in chapter 6 and have really improved a lot. PMG is the greatest!

Oh yeah I got pulled over for speeding in a school zone? Which there was no school zone sign for a mile away when the cop pulled me over. There was no schools beside a church thing. It was weird, But the lord provided a way and I got just a warning. I am so happy to got away with that. Mom and dad and family I love you so so much and I am grateful that you are supporting me on this journey of rescuing others that are children of god. Heavenly father has poured out so much blessings on our family its incredible. Always remain humble and diligent in prayer. Studying the book of mormon has changed my life and my mission. I am more mature and more obedient and I do all I can to be on the Lord's Side. The love I have for the savior and his atonement makes me work harder and want to share it with others. I love you and know that you are all safe, remember the quote by Bruce R. Mcconkie that I gave you in my christmas box. I am truly called of god and separated from the world to do his work. This is amazing and I dont want it to end. Keep doing the best you can my family.

Love always
Elder Loren James Miller

January 18th,2010

Dear Family!
Everything is doing A okay here in Spring, Texas, and I am working hard and teaching more and more each week. We are working with a few great investigators and the ward is amazing! It is getting humid, and it is getting hotter, just last week it was freezing! Now I can feel that Texas Heat coming on!
Mom and dad it is all about obedience and keeping my eyes single to the work and nothing else. This morning I read notes from my setting a part as a missionary from president M and I see many of those blessings being fulfilled and it is a testimony to me of the power of the priesthood.

Last week we taught a lady who was a referral from a member and she is going through a tough time and she is currently going through her 4th divorce and has three kids. We taught her about the atonement and the significance of her not being alone and that there is a way back home to heavenly father. It was such a powerful experience and I know that she will progress in the gospel because she has a desire to know if the church is true or not. I can promise you this mom and dad that the teaching of the atonement is a powerful thing and that most of my testimony came from my study of the book of mormon.
The creation is a simple subject I believe that gets too intense if it goes into deep doctrine. I am happy for the new manual because it is so key to know our foundation and what we believe. I dont really need anything, I just need your prayers for this work and I will be happy.
Well my family I testify to you that this gospel brings power to the redeemer, which is christ. It changes us to something we are supposed to be and improves the better to the best. If we diligently study the doctrine and use our faith to ask for guidance our lives will improve tremendously. I am loving my mission and I am learning the lessons I need to be the best. Never forget what the savior did for us and for the blessings our family has recieved. I am safe and sound, The work is going up and I am rolling on. I love you and miss you!

Love always
Elder Miller

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