February 16, 2015

Y'all,

I hope that everyone had a fantastic Valentine's Day!! It sure seemed like everyone in San Antonio was enjoying themselves. I guess all the men here are procrastinators, because on every corner they were selling chocolates, teddy bears, balloons and other random Valentine's Day gifts. Holidays are always very different for missionaries than other people, it's always fun though!

EXCHANGE:

I went on an exchange this week with two Elders. I went with both of them in their area, so we were in a "trio" all day. It was a lot of fun! Their names are Elder Tovar and Elder Hansen, and they are both well-rounded missionaries. I have served around Elder Tovar before (he was in Hill Country Zone) so it was fun to be with him again, and Elder Hansen is fairly new to the mission.

We were able to do a lot of teaching together, and we did a lot of contacting people.

They were both really humble and kept asking for ways that they could improve, they are both going to be great leaders in this mission!

I'll send a picture of the three of us (with Elder White in the background) haha

His Name is Cody:

While visiting a lady in the ward who we knew nothing about, we found that she had moved. The new resident of that apartment is an African-American man named "Cody Simpson". He told us that he was meeting with missionaries about two years ago, and invited us back another time.

So, we went over on Friday night. As we were talking to him we quickly found out that he had a big hick-up: he didn't that that Jesus is the Son of God. It's actually very interesting because he believes in God, and he even thinks that Jesus died for our sins.... but he doesn't understand why we worship him.

It's a very bizarre, odd concern. We had a whole lesson on the divine Sonship of Jesus Christ, and that seemed to open his mind a little bit more.

On Sunday, he showed up to Church with a nice suit on hahaha he was looking really good! It's easy to teach people in the hood (here), but it's hard to get them to do stuff, like come to Church. So, Cody was our only investigator at Church this last Sunday, but he really liked it!

We went back last night and taught him the Plan of Salvation, really focusing on the role/necessity of Jesus Christ. It went pretty well. He is definitely opening his mind, and learning more. He is such a cool guy! I can't wait for him to get baptized!

A Cheesy Valentine's Day:

It was a little rough trying to teach people on Valentine's Day. Many people had other plans and priorities, than to listen to us. We were able, however, to have a lesson with one of our investigator's named Les. He is a middle-aged black man. He is very Christlike, and sincere. He doesn't have a car right now, so it's hard for him to get around. We taught him more about Church and the importance of it. He's working out the bus schedule to make it to Church this Sunday.

One of our favorite families in this ward is the Garza family. They are just awesome! They have already fed us like 3 or 4 times. Our dinner canceled on Valentine's Day, but they called us and invited us to go out with them. We went to a restaurant called "Chris Madrid's". It is San Antonio's best burger. The best part: they put a lot of cheddar cheese of the burgers!

haha it was probably the best burger I have ever tasted. The whole restaurant was very cool: they had all kinds of shirts and jerseys up that  people would sign. They even had a missionary shirt hanging on the wall, that has been signed by HUNDREDS of missionaries. So, we signed the shirt and took some pictures of it (I'll send one)

I love y'all! Have a great week

Love, Elder Giles

February 9, 2015

Family and Kin,

It's already spring weather there? haha it's been pretty hot in Texas for the last few weeks (besides the rain storms). Today is really bright, sunny and hot! Winter lasted a couple of days haha now it's already hot and humid again. I love it though! I love the Texas heat.t.

A Wonderful Experience:

This past Tuesday, the Round Rock missionaries (my last area) called me and told me that one of the investigators that I was teaching was getting baptized this Saturday. His name is Richard Martin and he is 23 years old. He reached out to us wanting to know more about what we believe. I was able to have 3 lessons before I got transferred, and on the last lesson I had with him he committed to be baptized on February 7th.

The Elders called and told me that he was still getting baptized on the 7th, and then they told me that Richard asked that I baptize him...

Well, the baptism was about 2 1/2 hours away on Saturday evening. I talked to President Slaughter about it, and he said that I should go and baptize him.

So, we had to leave at 4pm on Saturday and had a fun road trip all the way up to Georgetown, Texas (where the baptism was).

It was very special to see many of my great friends from the Chisholm Trial ward again. It was a sweet reunion.

The baptism was beautiful and planned out very well. As Richard and I were about to walk into the baptismal font, I told him that I was proud of him and we shared a hug. We walked into the water, and the room went silent. When Richard came up out of the water, he just stood there for a moment.. and the reached his arms out and gave me a big hug!

We walked out of the font, and went into the stalls to change.

As I was standing in that bathroom in Georgetown, Texas, dripping wet and standing in white, I felt so much happiness and thankfulness to my God! I just stood there for a few minutes, too happy to move. I was stuck in the moment when I heard Richard's voice from the other stall saying, "thank you". 

I asked him why he asked for me to come back and baptize him. He said, "It's all because of something you told me. The first time I met you, you told me your testimony of the Book Of Mormon, and said that I could know it is true by reading it. I didn't believe you. I honestly thought you were full of it....but..... it was enough to get me to try it"

Three weeks later we were both dripping wet, standing in white.

This was yet another life-changing, testimony-strengthening experience for me.

What I told Richard, I will always say to all: The Book Of Mormon is absolutely true. It has the power to truly changed your nature, to expand your mind or even bring peace in a moment of concern. I will always declare the truthfulness and divinity of that book! 

There is also a great principle demonstrated in what Richard said. He didn't believe me, he even thought that I was "full of it", but... it was enough.

It was enough for him to "awake and arouse [his] faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith" even though he had "no more than a desire to believe", he "let his desire work in [him]" (Alma 32:27)

and that was enough to cultivate and grow his faith.

This happens with everyone. We may not always believe everything right at first, but if we have that desire and let it work in us, God "will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 10:4)

Other Stuff:

Elder Nebeker and I are doing great together, we are super good friends and always find ourselves in hilarious situations hahaha we laugh hysterically every day.

We have been staying safe in our area. We are getting to know many people here, and we love them! We have been so extremely busy! Sometimes we only have time to eat like a 15 minute dinner before our next lesson. We have been teaching A LOT and enjoying the work here.

We had a great lesson with a man and his mother yesterday (Anthony & Dana). They were so appreciative of us coming over and teaching them. The Spirit was strong throughout the lesson and the both accepted to be baptized at the beginning on March! There are just so many great people here... and they are all going to get baptized! haha

This was fun: Elder Nebeker and I went to a Mongolian all-you-can-eat buffet this week and ate quite a bit if Mongolian food.

I love y'all and I love my mission!

Please be safe this week, and have a Happy Valentine's Day :)

Love, Elder Giles

February 2, 2015

Loved ones,

This has been a week that has changed my life.

Many incredible things happened this week, but I will focus on the most prominent 

Elder Russell M. Nelson, of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited our mission this week.

The entire mission met together at a Stake Center in northern San Antonio, there we sat in reverence waiting for the Apostle to come in. As President Slaughter and his wife walked in, they were followed by Elder Nelson and two members of the Seventy (Elder Foster and Elder Wright). As they entered the entire mission arose, and the Spirit FILLED the room. Tears came to my eyes as I personally saw an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He ushered for all of us to be seated, and then wished to shake everyone's hands.

As missionary's went up, one by one, he would read their name tag and call them by name.

When I approached that Apostle, shook his hand, and heard him say my name.. I could feel the power of God in him. His entire body radiated light and love. 

There are billions of people on earth right now, there are 15,082,028 members of the Church, and only Twelve apostles. One of them was with me a couple of days ago. So incredible!

Elder Nelson is 90 years old. It was so spectacular to see someone completely filled with the grace of God. He was energetic, healthy, extremely witty and by far the most intelligent person in that entire building. Many 90 year-old people are losing memory, losing strength and losing knowledge. However, Elder Nelson was quoting and citing scriptures from all the Standard Works. He knows many languages (which he used to further explain definitions and answer questions).

Above all, however, is the authority that he holds. A true apostle of Jesus Christ.

He said many things that were so powerful, tears came to my eyes. He said one thing in specific, that has already changed my life and will be something that will continue to shape the choices I make. 

As a full-time missionary I have already had the greatest privilege to shake hands and exchange words with Two of the Lord's Apostles, Elder Bednar a year ago and Elder Nelson on Saturday. Both experiences have left a very profound mark on me.

These are the days! These are the days when there are LIVING prophets and apostles that walk the earth! 

If this work is not true, then they are just good men. But if this work is true, they hold the very same authority that Peter, James, John and other help anciently. They communicate with God, and direct His Kingdom on the earth today. They were and are chosen by God, and given His authority to speak in His name and do any and all things He demands.

I thank God, that I have that knowledge and am not ignorant of the most important thing on earth. 

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We were also very humbled just yesterday. As everyone was watching the Super Bowl, and enjoying that time with their families, Elder Nebeker and I were talking of Super Bowl memories and reminiscing while we were on our way to visit a family. Many people didn't answer the door, or have time for us because of the game. We planned to visit a family who fairly recently moved from Sri Lanka. Their names are ridiculously long, so we just call him "Chris". They let us right in. Their ability to speak English is still improving, but they can understand fairly well. Their apartment looked vacant; all we could see were their two little children, and a couch. They are living on food stamps. It looked as if their children didn't have any toys, all we had on us where pass-along cards, so we gave them to the children and they loved them.

I asked if they could read English, and would like a Book of Mormon in English, the mother nodded her head. I grabbed it out of my bag and handed it to her. She grabbed the book and hugged it against her chest.

We asked what they needed, or wanted (so the ward came help out, the Bishop wanted us to find out) and they just mentioned a few small things, all of which were for their children.

On our way out, we had a prayer and Chris said it. He started out "Dear Heavenly Father," and then spoke in his native language. I obviously didn't understand anything he said, but I know that God was listening and understood Chris perfectly. That was a powerful moment.

While the rest of the nation was enjoying the Super Bowl commercials and pounding down guacamole, this young family had no TV, or food. Their children had no toys. The only furniture they had was a couch. But they were so happy to see the missionaries, to get another Book of Mormon and to say a prayer.

I am grateful for the experiences that a loving Heavenly Father is giving me to learn and improve.

I love each of you, and pray that you will be safe this week!

Love,

Elder Giles

January 26, 2015

Loved Ones,

SO many changes. If this wasn't the work of the Lord, I would be way too stressed out hahaha, I will get to those in a minute.

Goodbye Round Rock:

Oh, Round Rock was so much fun! I was only there for 2 transfers, but we had two amazing baptisms and there are two more getting baptized next week! The work was really picking up in that area, and I was so glad to see that. I had some really great experiences there, but it's left in good hands. The missionary who replaced me was Elder Condie haha my 2nd companion in the mission and one of my best friends.

It was fun saying goodbye to all of the great friends I have made in Round Rock, and taking some pictures.

I'll send a picture of the Cuevas family, which is a family that we are teaching. I will also send a picture of me and the Elders I was living with in Round Rock, we were all such good friends!!

Companion # 9:

My companion's name is Elder Nebeker. He is from Arizona. We got "doubled in" which means that we are both brand new to the area. We have only been together for a few days now (like 3), but we have gotten along so great! haha we are already super good friends.

It's been a little stressful, with all the new changes, but we have been having so much fun together! And we both LOVE it here.

From Riches to Rags: 

In the last 6 transfers, I have had 6 companions and 4 areas.... that's quite a bit of change haha.

My last two areas were both pretty wealthy and higher class. They were classy neighborhoods, and few or no slummy areas. Which has been fun, but isn't necessarily my style......

LADIES AND GENTLEMAN.... I am now in the "North Zone" of San Antonio city. We cover the southern most part of the North Zone, or in other words, Downtown.

The named of the ward is 'Castle Hills'

The area is HUGE, it covers such a large chunk of San Antonio city, there are thousands of people in just our area.

I love everything about this area. OH MAN, I love the feel of the city and now it's my area!!! A few nights ago, we were stopping by and introducing ourselves to some people the previous missionaries were teaching and we were literally in the downtown. The skyscrapers and huge building were right behind me. I didn't take any pictures, but I will this week!!

*****************************************

NEW ADDRESS Y'ALL:

1700 Jackson-Keller Road #3302,

San Antonio, Texas, 78213

******************************************

There is so much to say, but I don't know what... haha we've kind been running around like chickens with our heads cut off...

I know the Lord is with us, and helping us and protecting us.

**HOWEVER, feel free to send letters and packages with goodies inside this week :) **

Next week's E-mail will be a lot better than this. Let me just say that I know The Lord knows me perfectly, and that has been shown to me over and over again on my mission. I love doing His work, and having His spirit with me. I have a sure faith in Christ and his prophets. This is the Lord's Church, and it's where I will always be

Love, Elder Giles

January 19, 2015

Kinfolk,

**DO NOT SEND ANYTHING TO MY ROUND ROCK ADDRESS**

I'm getting transferred, again. My last day in this apartment will be Wednesday, so if you send anything after today I probably won't get it. I'll give y'all my new address next week :)

I'm getting "doubled-in" again haha which means that my new companion and I will be go the the area at the same time, neither of us will know anything about the area or the people haha that's the same thing that happened when I went to Hill Country Zone. So, that will be fun!!

This will already by my 3rd zone as a Zone Leader, that's crazy to think about! I love it though.

I will definitely miss the Round Rock zone and Elder Loveridge. Elder Loveridge and I were only companions for 6 weeks, which is a bummer because we got along so great and are really good friends. He is such a fantastic missionary though,and he will do great in Round Rock and with all the investigators who we have right now. He has only been on his mission for about the same time as me, so we will be able to hang out a lot when we go home. He just lives in Ogden area. It's going to be sad to leave him.

This area has been a really important area to me. I have grown an incredible amount in the 3 months that I spent here. I will always remember the miracle, and faith building experiences I had with Malik Abdul, and the great friendship that we have formed. He was such a miraculous story. I will always thank the Lord that I was able to be a part of it.

Hunter Henson's was another incredible story from this area. His family has been through a lot, and he has wanted to be baptized for a while now. The divorce just happened to be finalized while I was here. So, we were able to teach him and baptize him. I confirmed Hunter a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gave him the Gift of the Holy Ghost. His family is incredible, and his future it so promising. I love the Henson family, and plan on keeping in contact with them for the rest of my life.

The Walsh Ranch ward has been filled with exemplary, faithful, covenant-keeping members of the Lord's Church. I have learned a lot from serving them and loving them. I am always amazed at how the Lord can send me to any seemingly random place, and there I will meet people who will have such an impact on me that it will change the rest of my life.

The Chisholm Trail ward has some of the most Christ-like people I have ever met. The faith of the the young single adults has absolutely strengthened mine. I have listened to them, and learned from them. I have made friendships that will last for years, and experiences that will last forever.

I have sad to leave Round Rock behind, but genuinely STOKED for what awaits!!

As I read and re-read the Book of Mormon, my faith becomes unshaken. Intellectually, there is no way that book came from man. Spiritually, it has changed my very nature and all my desires.

I love the Lord, and all of you!

-Elder Giles

January 12, 2015

Family and Kinfolk,

The Book of Mormon was truly written by God's children who lived in the ancient America's. God loved them, and they knew who He was. They had the gospel of Christ, and prophets to show them the correct path. When Jesus Christ had fulfilled His Father's will, and successfully accomplished the Atonement, he visited these people. "And it came the pass that the Lord spake unto them saying: Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet...and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of surety...that it was he..." (3 Nephi 11:13-15)

The Book of Mormon is evidence that Jesus truly is the Christ and the Savior of the whole earth.

I thought I would start off with my testimony today, switch it up a little bit.

 Now, this is important, 100% of the time we don't understand all that God does. It may appear to some that he doesn't always "protect His children", but that is because we are "children" and don't understand. If one remains faithful throughout their life, no matter what comes their way, they will look back and see the hand of God protecting, leading, and carrying them to protection.

Conference and Exchange:

This past Tuesday, we had a conference with the Round Rock, Round Rock East, and Austin Zones. President Slaughter talked to us a lot about faith, and having faith in the Lord promises. I love how President teaches, because it is never things that only apply to the mission, it always applies to life after the mission as well. I always feel so inspired after speaking with him, he's such a great Mission President!

After the Conference, I went on another Exchange with Elder Thorn. I went on an exchange with Elder Thorn a few months ago, and we were so excited to be able to go on another one. He came out with Elder Loveridge and I both, so we were in a trio for the day.

It was a very inspiring exchange, we talked to many people and it was great to see how natural Elder Thorn was with talking and teaching others. Elder Loveridge and I both learned a lot. 

I spent my first night in Texas with Elder Thorn, and now he goes home next week. Sure going to miss him

The Recent-Convert:

We had a great lesson with Hunter Henson this week. It was incredible to go over and see how much he was glowing. We were talking about the Holy Ghost with him, and he told us how he has felt a difference since he got baptized. He said that he hears the small voice a lot more now, and he always wants to do nice things. It was very great to hear him say that. It's amazing to be able to see the change that happens in people's lives when they get baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Hunter Henson is so great!

Teaching:

Elder Loveridge and I had many opportunities to teach some very great people this week.

At one lesson we had, there were two college kids there named Michael and Callie , who we were not expecting. As we started teaching about prayer and the Holy Ghost, you could see Callie's eyes light up. At a few different times, it appeared that she was holding back tears. So I turned to her and asked her what's been sticking out to her. She explained how through prayer we can know truth, and that she really wants to have more truth in her life. She started crying and the Spirit just filled the room instantly. It was so powerful. Everyone there could feel it.

It's amazing to be able to be a part of the Holy Ghost teaching someone.

We also had a great first lesson with a YSA named Richard. He reached out to us saying that he really wants a Church with people his own age, who still worship. Well... he found us. We had a lesson with him at the Church on Saturday night. We taught him the Restoration in the Chapel, everything was making sense to him and he was really interested in more. He came to Church the next day and seemed to really enjoy it! We are teaching him again this Wednesday!

 

Please pray for Malik, Richard, and Ozzy

I love y'all so much!

Love, Elder Giles

January 5, 2015

Kinfolk,

~HAPPY 2015~

I hope y'all had a great New Year's Eve! 

Y'all went on a snow covered trail in 12 degree weather? That's nuts. I can't even imagine that. It's probably like 55 degrees today and I amfreezing!  That does sound like a lot of fun though. We are so lucky to live right next to the mountains, and we can just go hiking whenever we would like. That's really nice.

Friday Fun-Day:

Remember those long road trips I take frequently to San Antonio. WELL, this past Friday we had to meet at the Temple at 7:30 am.... it's over a 2 hour drive.....

We woke up dangerously early to shower, and get prepared, and then we made it to the Temple on time. All the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders were able to do a session together with President Slaughter and his wife. 

It was so amazing. The peace and Spirit that we feel in the Temple is so unparalleled to anything else on this earth. It was amazing to look around and see all my best friends, these amazing missionaries, all there with me. It felt so good!

Usually, missionaries only go through with President right before they go home. It was very rare that we are able to go as well. I realized that the next time I was in there with President would be in 8 months, my last day in the mission.

I saw how much I have grown, and how much more I want to become in the next 8 months.

We then met at a Stake Center to have a huge lunch, and then have our Mission Leadership Council. It was a great meeting, and a lot was accomplished. 

Unfortunately, that is also where I said goodbye to Elder Nichols. He was flying home the next day, and was going to spend the night in San Antonio. It was so much fun to be his companion, I learned a lot from him. He's going to continue to be such a good example to others in Utah.

Hunter Henson's Baptism:

Hunter Henson is such a fantastic kid! He was finally baptized this Saturday at 2pm. 

SOO many people showed up to support him and his family! It was insane!! Everyone kept talking about how they have never seen so many people at a baptism before hahaha it was so good! The baptismal service was very powerful. Afterwards, there was a big get-together and a lot of people brought snack foods. So much of it was eaten, and whatever wasn't eaten was given to us ahahah (that's the other picture I sent)

Hunter also asked for me to confirm him and give him the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I was very humbled and grateful that he asked me to do that. It is always so powerful and such a spiritual experience every time I give someone a blessing. I always feel so much joy afterwards, and that is so much more true when giving someone the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a great experience, and I'm glad that I was abel to do that for him.

Hunter Henson is now officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!!!

I love you all so much! I am so proud of each of you and the testimonies that you have. You are very inspiring to me!

**Please keep in your prayers this week Malik Abdul, and Ozzy Gastineau**

Love-Elder Giles