ToddlingAroundTheWorld

Today I become a ‘Marathoner’! I am ‘running’ (well, walking, cause my kneees swell up like cantelope when I run) my first marathon today. I am participating inthe #beattheblerch marathon, which is virtual, and going from Chinese reconciliation Park in Tacoma out across the Tacoma Narrows Bride and back for the 26.2  I will be posting live updates here as I go, so if you are one of my three followers, feel free to check in here on my blog at www.toddlingaroundtheeorld.com 8:07 am. Mile .4 Just passed the place where Autumn and Clay got married on June 8, 2020. Such special memories! I dedicate this marathon to my son, Austin, who ran my with me on my first #beattheblerch Christmas 5k run a few years ago, where he actually came in first place! 8:18 am, mile 1.2 Coming up on Restaurant Row of the waterfront, Harbor Lights. One of the few we actually haven’t eaten at yet.  Here is a video from the starting line! Wearing my waterproof shoes, just in case! Thanks tomy siblings for ...

over the past twelve days, I walked 111 miles for Kathya and Kathleen, who are following Jesus Christ’s example and being baptized this Saturday. I am so happy for these beautiful girls and hope that they have one of the most wonderful experiences of their lives as they follow their hearts and their Heavenly Father. Love, Brother Miller Durante los últimos doce días, caminé 111 millas para Kathya y Kathleen, que siguen el ejemplo de Jesucristo y se bautizan este sábado.  Estoy muy feliz por estas hermosas niñas y espero que tengan una de las experiencias más maravillosas de sus vidas al seguir sus corazones y a su Padre Celestial.  Con amor, hermano Miller

Today Austin called! He’s looking good! Though he did injure his foot last weeks. Sad.  Here is his letter: (Sorry I didn't send out an email last week, I broke my foot and things went south haha) We're living with a Brazilian in our apartment now and I'm taking advantage of it. I'm hoping to come home trilingual! Portuguese is really similar to Spanish, so I've been practicing and having Elder Da Silva mentor me. Updates coming in the following weeks. We had a lot of great lessons this week! Our lesson we had with Kathya was awesome. We talked about the importance of love and families. I love my family so much and I'm so grateful for the love that they show me each day. I know that one of the biggest reasons I'm here is to bring other families together so that they can have love in their homes.  I did end up breaking my foot last Monday which really sucks. It might be a little worse than a break, so I'm going back into the doctor this week to see what...

First day we could go back to church in six months.  It I had a bit of a cough, so we decided it was better to stay home. 

Excursion with LeAnn

That’s a long way to go on the treadmill 

Missing my Shark friends during the past six months while not being able to volunteer as the #sharkssushichef at #pointdefiancezooandaquarium during the #covidchaos , so picked up this SharkTee in memorandum.  Walked 7 miles through the Des Moines Marina and Des Moines Creek trail, and was rewarded by seeing some magnificent wildlife even through the foggy morning.  My legs were quite tired, but persevered. While it was a challenging walk, it reminded me of this song from church, which is so poignant during these trying times: 🎶 Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labor fear; But with joy wend your way. Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day. 🎶 #SeattletoBahiaBlanca Total: 7020 Seattle to Bahia Completed 4566.8 Seattle to Bahia Remaining 2453.2

Though the smoke seems to be clearing out a bit, it still lingers. Had a couple no of good walks today on the Jovita trail and then over on the Hylebos Wetlands trail. Got a haircut and stopped by target to get some new socks. Finished up with 3.4 on the treadmill. 

Met elder J

Went out n the trail and up into Edgewood. Stopped at Walgreens for a half gallon of milk and to pick up some gift cards for McDonalds. During the walk, we got to talk to Austin on his Pday. Love that kid so much.   I wanted to take one to Rachel Stucki for helping out with a package pickup while we were in Idaho. Didn’t want any porch pirates to grab it so she came over and picked it up. Then walked over with LeAnn to the Meadow Glen neighborhood across Military and then dropped the card off at the Stucki’s. 

We got to Rexburg last night, picked up Olive Garden in Idaho Falls, and got to the hotel around 8:00 pm. The next morning took Jaylin to move into her dorm and meet her roommates. A great bunch of girls! Later, we went to Costco and Fred Meyer to get her some food and essentials. This girl is set to go! Most of the miles I walked this day were around the shopping centers for food!

We were able to take a short day trip with Autumn and Clay and Jaylin to Mesa Falls. This stunning waterfall is about 20 miles east of Ashton, Idaho. All of the time that I had been up to Mack’s inn as a kid, and I had never heard of this place. It was amazing. We walked around the falls and enjoyed views like this

Not much walking today since we were driving all the way home from Rexburg. 11 hours straight at about 80 miles per hour. Was able to get on the treadmill for a bit in the evening. It is super smoky outside from all of the wildfires, so decided not to spend too much time outside.  Somewhere in Montana

We had a whirlwind weekend of dropping our Jaylin off to college at BYUI and going to Autumn and Clay’s reception in Rexburg. It was nice to be able to take Jaylin to her new dorm and to meet her roommates. We took a great trip up to the majestic Mesa Falls, which is a bit outside of Ashton, Idaho. It was fun driving up that way as I spent many summers up in Island Park at Mack’s Inn when I was young. It was a special time to spend with family and reminisce of having raised Jaylin up and so proud of the beautiful and spectacular woman she is becoming. I will sure miss having Jaylin around here along with her fun, energetic personality. Though seeing her adapt to Rexburg and the friendships she is already making and how much she is enjoying the atmosphere there, helps me to know she is exactly where she is supposed to be.

Austin is finding happiness through helping others find happiness.  Imagine what a wonderful world this would be if we can each help others find their happiness.  This is one of the great joys of being a missionary. I love getting his weekly letters. They pick me up and teach me  A God of Miracles This week was great! We did a lot of service (that has been a common theme as of late) and it got up to 117° one day which was awesomeee. Elder Meads got the bike riding experience the other day which is always a fun time. We took about 6 hours and helped a guy move to his new crib from a storage unit. We loaded and unloaded 5 loads in a pickup truck haha. We’ve started teaching quite a few new people! We’ve been able to get out into people’s homes more often than before, and it’s been great. Being able to get to know people in their homes and sharing about Jesus Christ brings me so much happiness. We’ve also been visiting our friend Deondrea a lot. Deondrea has Parkinsons and r...

Came home to an empty house. Grandma brought Flash back to us though. It will never be quite the samewithout all our kids around. This will take a while to get used to.  Did hit the trail and get out around Edgewood and home. While walking, got to video chat with Austin, so that was awesome. He told us about Katya, his investigator, who is doing great. I told him I would walk 100 miles for her.  Then a couple more miles over through the Stucki’s neighborhood to drop off a McDonalds gift card to Rachel since she came over while we were gone and picked up a package to protect from porch pirates.  Finished early on the treadmill tonight with my nightly 5k to get 10.2 miles for the day. 

Was determined to get my 10 today. Walked three on the trail, then around through Milton and over to the post office on this street Back through the shortcut next to the chicken farmer.This guy must have been working for years to get thisstump out Then got my nightly 3.1 on the treadmill!

Did the 5 mile Jovita loop at around 10:00, then did our neighborhood before dinner and then 3.2 on the treadmill to hit the 10 mile daily goal. Saw these chickens running around in Edgewood.  

We invited the Garcia’s over to watch the new Mulan. Timed it just about right to start at 8:00 right as it wasgetting darker. It was a fun show and we had the fire pit going for S’mores, popcorn and Keri brough somedelicious Peach Cobbler. It got a bit cold and I was a bit sore from the bike ride, but a perfect evening to watch the movie out on the projector. I did get inside afterwards and get on the treadmill to finish the day with just over 6 miles.