January 5, 2015

Not too much has happened this week to report on. We had three meetings this week. I think my favorite meeting of the transfer is what we call "Return and Report". All of the brand new missionaries and their trainers come back at the end of their first transfer. It is a ton of fun and we have a lot of good laughs! We had Mission Leadership Council on Friday. We went to the temple with all of the departing missionaries and had Cafe Rio afterwards.

On New Year’s Eve we got watch movies as a zone. We watched "How to Train Your Dragon 2". After we watched the movie we spent some time playing lightning and other games until about 10. Yesterday we had the "New and Returning Member Fireside". Zohra said she was going to speak at the next one, but then she was unable to come. It was a great meeting. The spirit is always very strong. We had 6 recent converts speak about their conversions. Last night we also got Elder Raban's next companion. He is a great missionary and will do really well as an Assistant.

I have mixed feelings about being transferred. I am excited to have some change and a new area. I have been here for 6 months now. I do know where I am going already, but I will tell you next week after transfers just to make sure there is no leaking of information... It will be nice to get on a regular sleep and workout schedule again. I also look forward to having more time to study because I won’t be at meetings all the time. I'm thankful that I still have six months left to get back out there and have more time to work.

I will miss being around President Riggs. I have loved spending time around him and learning from him. I will miss knowing so much about what is going on in the mission. I will feel so out of the loop! It has really been an amazing six months, but I am excited for what the future hold for me! I am going to make the most of the time I have left so I won't come home with any regrets. I’ll be coming back to this area on Saturday for Roberts baptism! That will be great.

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes!

Love, 

Elder Braden Miles

Washington DC South Mission