Week 4

Konnichiwa Family!

How has the week been now that school has started? Is Ryan loving junior high? I wrote him a letter yesterday, I think, so he should get it sometime next week. This week was pretty great. Being called as the District Leader has been such a huge blessing! I finally get to pick up my own mail (along with everyone else's)! I was talking with Elder Peay just a minute ago and he asked if I was DLing it (District Leadering it) I told him I was and apparently him, Elder Tribe, Elder Brady Cowley, Elder Jacobson, and I believe Elder Barton, have all served as DLers in the MTC. We blame it all on our mission prep class and President Brower! He's the man! On Tuesday night we had the privilege to hear Elder Neil L. Anderson speak to us at the devotional. I couldn't help but remember how Ryan had just barely heard him speak at jamboree and I remembered the story he told about him having enough faith that he could command the rain to stop. He shared a great message on missionary work, as the speakers do every week, and had a man there with him that was one of his missionaries while he was serving as mission president in France. They had some great stories and it was incredibly inspiring. Apparently it's really rare to have two apostles in three weeks come speak to us but it was still amazing and I hope they continue to come! So last Saturday was our first TRC experience. We taught a man from Japan that taught at BYU and has a son on a mission in Fukuoka right now. As we were getting to know him, telling him about our families and hobbies and such, he asked us how many times we had done TRC. We told him that he was our first one and apologized for our lack of ability to speak Japanese. He was taken back! He couldn't believe that was our first TRC lesson and told us we were ready to go to Kobe! Soooo cool. He was incredibly nice and I shared one of my favorite scriptures, 1 Nephi 3:7. I said that I loved Nephi because he was Chikara (powerful) but also meek. He didn't know what meek meant and we explained that it was another way of saying humble. He was so excited that we ACTUALLY taught him something. Oh, he's a member by the way. It was still such a great experience and I kept the teaching review card that he gave us after we were done.  I wish I could remember his name! So our teachers that we had pretty much since the first day, Fowers Sensei and Nitta Sensei, had to leave our class because BYU started on Wednesday. It was way sad! They were awesome teachers and taught us so much. Fowers Sensei was like an older brother to us and Nitta Sensei was a little half-japanese guy that loved everyone. Our new teacher, Clark Kyodai, was Fowers Sensei's trainer in the mission field, they both served in Tokyo, and an AMAZING teacher! Our other new teacher is Hollister Sensei but we haven't met him yet because he's on his honeymoon. Next week we'll start teaching our new "investigators" so wish Donaldson Choro and I good luck! Last night we had a substitute teacher named Kosaka Sensei. He's from Osaka, Japan and served his mission in New York. Kosaka from Osaka, cool right? He didn't seem to think it was very funny... but I sure did! He told us a lot of good things for Japan, like not to skimp on a bike when we get to our mission. He said the Wal-Mart bikes will just fall apart so we should invest in a solid one. Like I ever invest in cheap things anyway ;) I hope everything is going great at home. I'm doing great. I can't believe its almost been 4 weeks. ahhh so crazy. Apparently the new iphone comes out in two weeks? Let me know how it is! I also heard Jason Dufner won the PGA. Good for him. How are my Yankees doing. How's Woods Cross doing? Let me know this week! Keep the Dear Elders coming! I love them so much!!! I love you Family!!!

Elder Giles

I filled our door with pictures and quotes. You could say I'm pretty creative...

District Leader

Dear Family 

So I wrote a letter to Alex this morning because I had a rough night and I wanted to see how she was doing. Last night I got pretty irritable with my district and wasn’t in a good mood at all. During my nightly prayer last night I pleaded with the Lord to have him show me of his love. I didn’t really receive an answer right then but I went to bed anyway. After I had woken up this morning and had written Alex the letter (best friend). Brother Ward a member of the branch presidency pulled me out of the class we were studying in and called me as a district leader! I accepted the call and immediately felt Heavenly Father’s love and the spirit confirmed this to me. So I’m District Leader of District 71-A now here at the MTC. Crazy right? The Lord answers prayers and I know I’m serving as District Leader because he loves and knows this is what I’m supposed to do right now. It’s crazy how the uneasiness I felt last night was the way the Lord was preparing me for this new call. Satan was doing everything he could to tear me down but he has no power over me! This church is true Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us! I can’t wait to hear from all of you.

Much Love,

Elder Giles 

MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER

2005 North 900 East Provo, Utah 84604-1793 Phone: 1-801-422-2603

August 2, 2013

Elder Jeffrey Maxwell Giles

Dear Elder Giles,

Congratulations on your call to serve as a District Leader. We appreciate your willingness to help and bless the other missionaries in your district. Through your example of Christ-like living and appropriate missionary behavior you will become an inspiration and role model for those you lead.

Your support and encouragement of the other missionaries will be a blessing to them. We encourage you to seek the Lord’s spirit in your stewardship. It will guide you to those who may need your assistance and love, and will inspire you in how to lift and strengthen them.

You have been called through inspiration. You will be blessed as you follow the counsel and direction of your Branch Presidency. You should share your concerns with them, and seek their counsel in providing assistance to those you serve. Please refer to your missionary leader guide book for specific responsibilities.

May the Lord bless you in this assignment and throughout your mission.

Sincerely,

Lon B. Nally President

Week 3

Hi fam!

Today's been a great P-Day! Donaldson Choro and I have been up since 4:55 doing laundry and such (we napped for a little bit earlier). I've had a great week though! The Japanese is really starting to pick up and I can read Hiragana pretty effortlessly now! Hymns in Nihongo are so beautiful. This really is the greatest language in the world! English sucks and sometimes we forget how to say stuff, spell, use correct grammer, and stuff like that. Vie Sikahima came and spoke to us on Tuesday night for our devotional and it was so cool! He had a great story from his own mission and had one of his converts there with him. He served in Rapid City South Dakota and loved every minute of it! I've read so much of the scriptures I feel like. John15:16 is by far my favorite scripture in the world! I'd highly recommend looking it up. No dad I'm not Zone Leader yet, haha. But next week we will be Sempai! First three weeks you are Kohai, then Sempai, then Disempai! Its going by so fast. Its so good to hear that everything was good with Cole. I prayed for him when I got the letter saying he might be having some difficulties. He's coming to Kobe for sure. I'm going to be his trainer and its going to be sick. I can't wait to see JB too! Send my love to those guys for sure. Thank you so much for the endless packages and letters! Its so awesome and I love it! Grandma sent me some peaches and I was so thankful! I got a HUGE package from Michelle Coleman and Fam so make sure to send her my love and thanks. I cried when I learned that Jack had picked out those socks and tie for me. I miss that guy so much but the tie and socks were a great reminder of him. Electric blue just like his personality! We're going to the temple in about an our and I can't wait! I love going to the temple here even if its absolutely packed! I think its Donaldson choro's favorite thing to do! So BYU starts up next week so we're losing BOTH of our awesome teachers! Its too bad, they really are so great. Our new one came and met us yesterday morning though and he's SO awesome. He was Fowers Sensai's trainer in Tokyo and has Nihongo down. The MTC has been great. I keep telling my Doryo that this is what we'll tell our kids about. "when I was on my mission" is happening right now! Its insane! Our district has grown really close this week and I love them. I guess Elder Carlisle and I are distant cousins according to him! I can't wait to get your letters and love. Oh, thanks for the shoes trees. I'm not really sure why I got them but an Elder in my district was sure pumped to get my old ones! I hope all is well and I wish the best of luck to Ryan, Jack, and Alex who all start school on Monday! Is Ryan going to be a seventh grader?? Holy cow! I love you guys! I'm doing great! Church is True!

あいしっています！

Giles ちょろ

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)

Week 2

 Family,

こにちわ！げんきですか？？

I've had a pretty good week so far. I had my ups and downs but overall I'm still loving it here. As you can see my Nihongo is still in the works but its coming along nicely! We do this thing called SYL (speak your language) where we say words we know in Nihongo as opposed to english. I can't say "yes" without thinking it now, I have to say "hai". Its crazy. I've been reading Our Heritage a lot during personal study time this week and its been amazing. I said to Donaldson Choro today, "This book has strengthened my testimony more than any other book I've read besides the Book of Mormon. Other than that it was a really typical week. One of the sisters in our district got sick on Monday or Tuesday and some Elders gave her a blessings and we all pitched in and wrote her a nice get well card and gave her a few cookies, she was better the following day! During gym time I've been playing a lot a basketball. My district doesn't really play ball so I play with the Elders going to the Fukuoka mission. They're great guys. I'm in the choir! I sang with the tenors at theTuesday night devotional and it was awesome!! I saw Elder Muir!! He was doing awesome and looked really in tune with the spirit. He's over on the west campus and it was so good to see him. Elder Richard G. Scott came and spoke to us at the devotional on Tuesday and it was incredible. He bestowed upon the missionaries learning a new language an Apostolic blessing that we would receive the gift of tongues. Pretty amazing right? He spoke to us about his mission, saying it has brought more blessings to his life than any other thing he's ever done. He spoke to us about being more sincere in our prayers and how we could better the quality of our discussions with our Heavenly Father. He got really emotional towards the end of his talk and it was because he could feel the presence of his late wife with us in the meeting. It brought tears to my eyes. One of the Elders in my room, Elder Moos, said when he said that he looked at all the empty seats on the other side of the Marriott Center and said he could see them filled. Incredible experience. Last night Elder Donaldson and I had just got back to our room and I was putting some of my valuables in my lock drawer, Elder Donaldson was changing his clothes over by the bed in my peripherals. He walked behind me to get something and I could still see someone standing by my bed. Guardian angels are real. I wasn't freaked out or afraid, but I was at peace. Someone is watching over me. I didn't know who it was, nor could I make them out, but I was filled with love and the spirit. This is where I'm supposed to be and it was confirmed from the other side of the vail. Crazy huh?? I know I seem like some spiritual weirdo but I promise I'm still the same Jeff. I don't know if you know an Elder Marshall Hawkes from Bountiful. He's going to Tokyo and I've gotten to be pretty good friends with him and his companion Elder Winegar. I hope you guys have a great week and I look forward to more letters in the days to come! わたしわあいしってます！！

First Testimony in Japanese

August 9, 2013

Dear Family & Friends,

I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, I testify that the Book of Mormon is true, I believe that God forgives our sins, I know that a prophet guides this church, I know that God is our Heavenly Father In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

This is my simple testimony I can almost bare in Japanese! I'm having such an awesome time and I love being a missionary. Every time someone in my room says the prayer in Japanese I can feel the spirit so strong. It has strengthened my testimony that God hears and answers our prayers. Even in Japanese! My companion Elder Donaldson and I think its funny that our moms have already found each other! I love it, I love being a missionary. Tonight were teaching a man completely in Japanese! We are relying on the spirit to take our knowledge of the gospel to his heart. My P-Day is Saturday and I will email home! I've seen Elder Tyler Cowley, Elder Riley Johnson, Elder Brady Cowley, Elder Kyle Peay and Elder Spencer Tribe! Elder Tribe gave me a huge hug and it was so good to see him. Tell everyone I'm doing fine!

All my best, 

Elder Jeffrey Maxwell Giles

Woods Cross High School Missionary friends Provo, MTC

Elder Giles, Elder Tribe, Elder Cowley, Elder Peay, Elder B Cowley

I Can Do This!

August 7, 2013

Family & Friends,

I just want to start off by saying how much I love the MTC and love being a missionary! I'm writing this at the end of the first day at the MTC next to my companion Elder Donaldson or (Donaldson churro). The MTC is so great and there is a powerful spirit here with us. I feel the Lord's guiding hand and love so much and I feel like I've already learned a ton! I miss you guys but know that I'm doing well. I can do this! I love you guys and I'm praying for you all the time!

All The Love In the World,

Elder Jeffrey Maxwell Giles

First Email from MTC

Hi Mom and rest of the family!

So I sent a letter a day or so ago and you might not have received it yet but know that I sent one! I wrote a letter that I will send today with my testimony written in Japanese! I'm seriously loving the MTC and my classes. Japanese is hard but after a few hundred times repeating a phrase or word it starts to stick. Praying in Japanese is probably the coolest thing ever. My companion and I, Elder Donaldson, have prayed a lot in Japanese together and its really a powerful experience. So today is my P-Day so my companion and I got up around 5:45 AM to go to laundry early, you'd be surprised how easy I can get up here. We started our laundry and went and got sack breakfasts so we could eat in the laundry room. Laundry took about an hour and a half and after we went back to our room and napped for a little bit to make up for the lost sleep. It felt so good even though the Elders down the hall thought it would be a good idea to have races right in front of our door. Donaldson Churro and I taught a lesson last night and it was realllllllllyyyy bad. We pretty much just bore testimony and prayed to him. He likes to play ping pong, baseball, and fishing! I told him I like baseball too so I think he liked me. I know the lord will bless us as we get a more full vocabulary and are able to communicate better. Everyone here says they felt the same way we do when they first got here, the language will come. I can't wait to be able to speak Japanese fluently! Its such a beautiful language! The other Elders in our room are Elder Moos from Spanish Fork and Elder Barney from Layton. They're pretty cool guys. My teacher is Fowers Sensai, he just got back from his mission in Tokyo and absolutely loved it! He speaks so fluently and fast its difficult to understand him. Words in Japanese are sometimes similar to words in English so we can kind of understand what he's saying. The other Elders in my district are Elder Novak from Sacramento, Elder Fukiu from Tremonton, Elder Carlisle from Boston, and Elder Karchner from Boise. I think the only one that has any Japanese background is Elder Novak who took two or three years in high school. When it comes to gospel things though no one hardly knows anything! Sorry I didn't have time to write more and upload pictures yet but I've seen all my friends except Elder Muir! Alex, ask Bam if he knows if Elder Muir is on the other campus. I talked to Elder Tribe for a while last night and he's doing so well! I love his companion Elder Navas, he's hilarious. Well I've got to go but I will try to get on a computer where I can actually upload some of my pictures. I love you guys and I'm praying for everyone back home! I'm doing great and I love being a missionary! I am so happy!

All the best,

Giles Churro

He's there!

We dropped off Elder Jeff Giles at 1:00pm yesterday at the Provo, UT MTC.  Such a bitter/sweet experience, but much more sweet than bitter.  A very neat site to see literally hundreds of Elders and Sisters waiting to greet the new arrivals.  It was quick and somewhat painless.  Elder Giles said; "Alright, let's do this.  See ya in two."  And off he walked with his two Host Missionaries, both also called to serve in Japan.

Counting Down the Hours

One day until we drop off Elder Giles at the MTC. He is so excited and feels well prepared to get out there and start his 2 years! Today, he chose to do a temple session with his Mom and Dad for one last run. After which, Elder Giles came home and took Ryan and I  back to the temple to do baptisms. It was a very busy morning but a very cool one at that! Tonight, around 7:30 we will be setting Elder Giles apart as a missionary for The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. We are super excited for him and are beyond proud! We know that he will do amazing things and have an incredible experience in the MTC for the 9 weeks that he is there!

If any of you would like to write Elder Giles while he is in the MTC you can reach him at

Elder Jeffrey Maxwell Giles
OCT09 JPN-KOB
2007 N 900 E Unit 29
Provo UT 84602

Welcome

https://www.facebook.com/sharie.giles

March 19, 2013

Elder Jeffrey Maxwell Giles

Dear Elder Giles,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Japan Kobe Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, August 7, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Japanese language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president. 

You have been recommended as one worthy to represent to Lord as a minister of the restored gospel. You will be an official representative of the Church. As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules, and following the counsel of your mission president. As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized.

The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children. We place our confidence in you and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary. 

Sincerely,

Thomas S. Monson

President