Wonderful Christmas Celebration!

     Hello everyone!  I hope you all had a great and a wonderful Christmas. This was by far the greatest Christmas of all my life. There just isn't anything like a Christmas in the mission field. I am so grateful to be here. It's such a wonderful place to be! 

     Thank you all for the wonderful gifts and cards! They were so great and touched my heart!  I thank God for all of you daily! How God has placed so many wonderful people in my life, is beyond me.  

     We had a wonderful Christmas Eve at the Rennie’s home! They have a contest each year where the put a white almond in a batch of rice pudding, and who ever finds it in their bowl gets an extra gift. It's quite the fun tradition. I won this year! Haha its was great. They are a truly wonderful family. 

     For Christmas dinner we went to the home of our Stake President, President Johnson. He is one of the greatest men I have ever met. 

     We were able to skype home this year to our families! What a joy it was to see them and feel of their sweet spirit. Christmas was a truly wonderful day!  I am beyond grateful for it. 

     The best part of Christmas for me was the giving of gifts to others. With the help of many from home, we were able to give 18 quads to the recent converts in our wards, that didn’t have them already! Most of them have been begging for them for months but haven't been able to afford them. So we got them all quads with their names engraved on them, and scripture cases. This was the happiest Christmas of all my life. This changed the life of these families forever.  Laly, who has beeng struggling since her baptism with an abusive ex-boyfriend, opened her new set of scriptures as we left. The scriptures opened to a verse that answered a prayer she has been praying for, for months now. What a miracle. God lives and loves us. This Christmas is one I will never forget. Ivan said as we left him his gift “Thank you, I don’t remember the last time I got a gift on Christmas.” What a tender mercy. Thank you to all those who donated and for being a part of these miracles.

     The day before Christmas Eve we had the Batism of Chris and Emily! We have been teaching them for the past month or so. They are two great kids, we love them so much!  We have been trying to teach them for months! Since last year actually. But because of God, and His miracles, the family situation that stopped them from being baptized was fixed! They have blossomed so much since we met them! They have been praying that God would allow them to be baptized so they could prepare to be with God again. There was standing room only at their baptism! The whole family came, some who haven't attended in sometime.  It was amazing to see how God brought this family together on this wonderful occasion.

     Another transfer came and went! I will be staying here another transfer! Transfer number 10! I love it here. We will now only be covering the Issaquah 1^st ward. 

     We taught our last lesson to Nick and Lisa last night. As we finished the lesson we told Lisa that we were being transferred. She broke down crying. We all began to cry as Leslie bore her testimony. I have never loved a family more in all my life! They feel like my older brother and sister, I will miss them dearly. We all cried as Nick said the closing prayer, “Thank you God for sending these Elders, and for inspiring Lisa to let them in. Help us stay on this path.” It was so hard to say goodbye to all of those beautiful kids. I didn’t want to leave. I cant wait to see them again.

     I love this glorious gospel! This has been the best year of my life. I have truly come to know God and Christ and their love for each of us. I have a strong, burning testimony of this gospel and its truth. We are blessed beyond measure to have it today. Don’t be afraid to share this truth with others, we have only got one life on this earth to bless the lives of many. I love you all!  HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK!

Love,

Elder Aiken

           

Merry Christmas!

     HELLO EVERYONE!!! What a wonderful week it has been!  This is my absolute favorite time of year for me.  I count down the months until Christmas.  It's truly such a happy time.  And there is no better place to be enjoying Christmas this year, than here in the mission field. The spirit is so strong here at this time of year, our Savior is much closer to our hearts.

     It's been another great week of miracles. The Lord is definitely preparing the people in miraculous ways. We are going to have a great baptism this weekend! Chris and Emily. They are from a part member family and I have been trying to teach them since last December! They are the most wonderful family! The teaching process was hard at first, they are both young teenagers and in that great stage of life - haha. God has softened their hearts and prepared this absolutely amazing miracle. They can't wait to be baptized and are so looking forward to this Friday. We are so happy. 

     We had a really tender miracle on Tuesday with a woman named Alicia!  I tracted into her last year.  In fact I looked in the area book and I tracted into her last Christmas Eve morning. We were planning last week and her name popped in my mind, and we knew we should go back. She answered with the biggest smile. She said, “I am busy but can you come back, I am ready to learn more!” So we came back this week. She said, “I don’t mean this in a rude way, but I haven't met an unhappy Mormon family.”  Of course we took no offense! For a time she has been wondering about that and began to see the mormon.org campaign around the city. It’s a miracle! She is so looking forward to learning more about this great gospel.

     I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. How blessed we are to know Christ. I have been thinking a lot this week about who He is, and why I love Him so much.  I love a verse in 3 Nephi 10:6. “….how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will but repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.”  How oft he truly does gather us under His wings. I look back with tears in my life, and see His ever reaching hand. Where would we be without his sacrifice? And without His love? I wouldn’t be where I am today. 

     Alma 7:12, holds so much meaning to me. “…and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may now according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”  He had never felt those pains before in His life.  He didn’t have to.  But he did so because he wanted to learn how to run to our aid.  And how to better learn to run to our aid, than to suffer as we would. Sin, pains, sadness, and all have been felt by our Savior.  And at this time as we celebrate His name, how much do we have to celebrate! Through Him, and because of Him our families can be together forever! And we can see the ones we love again. And although our sins may be as scarlet they may be white as snow.  For all He has done, He asks very little. He has given us all, shouldn’t we follow in his ways? 

     John 15, is my favorite section of the bible. And I want to share a few verses, beginning in verse 10.  “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you….”.  This season, as well as at all times, He has chosen us! To succor us and to be there for us.  He is the true reason for the season and the light in my life. 

     Coming here, I have come to realize that I want to spend my life in His service. He is the Master of our lives, if we will just turn to His will.  How blessed we are to read of Him and know of him. The greatest blessing in my life is to feel of His love. I have felt it every day since stepping off that plane.  It's as if He hasn’t left my side, but walks side by side with me.  I have seen Him save the lives of people we teach, and help them find their way.  Christ is the constant pillar, a pillar that will take us back to God.  As families. Forever.  Is there a more rich blessing than to know that He will be there our every breath of this life! And all he wants is our joy and for us to be truly happy. 

     There is a poem I want to end this letter with today. It's touched my soul forever!  It's called “He’s Been There Before.” It has to do with missionary work, but it applies to all. After a struggling missionary pleads for His saviors help, he hears the Savior's voice:

Your mission is similar to what happened to me.

I understand how you feel; I know what youre going through;

In fact, it would be fair to say I felt the same as you.

I even know how you felt when no one listened to you.

At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do.

I know you don’t like to bike for you a car would be sweet.

Just remember the donkey I rode wasn’t equipped with 21 speeds.

I understand you don’t like sweating. In fact, its somerthing you hate.

When I sweat blood from every pore, oh, the agony was great.

I see you don’t like your companion-you'd rather have someone else;

I remember my companion Judas. He sold my life for wealth.

It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you.

Much like when they put thorns in my head and called me King of Jews.

So you feel burdnened down by the weight of your pack.

I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back.

Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking doors all day.

I guess when they pounded nails through mine; they ached in a similar way…

It's hard not to hear from home, when youre family is not there to see;

I lost communication on the cross and cried, “Father, why hast thou forsaken me?”

We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between us you see,

I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me.

No matter what we go through, when we feel we can take no more,

Just stop and think about our Beloved Brother Jesus Christ.

He's been there before.

     My dear family and friends, what a time of year to celebrate our Savior and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ.  I would be nowhere without His suffering, without the atonement! We would all be lost. I thank God for Him daily. I bear testimony that I know He lives! It's our time in this life, to give back.  To show God our gratitude for sending His only begotten Son! Charity is the way, it's that kind of love that Christ has shown for us. I love you all!!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!  Be safe and know that I love you and appreciate you more than you know!!

Elder Aiken

God is a God of miracles!

Former Seattle missionaries back to film a documentary!

     Hello everyone!! I hope all is well! Things are going so well here. God has been blessing us richly over the past few weeks! 

     This has probably been the busiest time of my mission. This month, more than most, is a time when all are looking to be closer to Christ. So we are running around and making the best of it. What a blessed time to be in the mission field.          

     The past few weeks have been full of miracles with Lisa and Nick. Two weeks ago we went over to teach a lesson and asked Nick to join. God performed some mighty miracles during that lesson. We left not remembering a thing that was said, the Lord was the one speaking in that room. They have both made the decision to be baptized together! It’s THE GREATEST MIRACLE!! We are trying to help them be baptized this month, although we have many obstacles still to face. I have sat back often and pondered this miracle. How did it happen? We have done nothing. Our Father in Heaven has literally softened his heart, and peaked the interest of the whole family! God knows who he wants in His church, Christ is the captain, He runs the show.

     This week I have spent a lot of time pondering. On Friday we had our mission Christmas party. After we ate dinner we watched 17 Miracles. It was the most touching movie I have ever seen. It's amazing to watch what those people went through! They fought for their lives, all along the way! Only to reach Zion and partake in the ordinances of the temple. The highlight for me, were those three men, who spent one whole day carrying people across the Sweetwater River. They all died later on from the lingering affects of that day. Oh how I wish we could all serve that way! They simply show the importance of this gospel! It’s the pillar in our lives. And the greatest blessing any of us can receive. I won't slow down, back up, or be shy about this gospel while I serve here! We must give all, till ALL hear.  How blessed we are to have temples so close, and the Church of Christ restored today. This blessing is rich, but the opposition will continue to increase.

    On Thursday we were in a particular neighborhood with many young kids that used to always run up to us and called us the “Church People!” On Thursday one of the boys who used to run up to me, probably about 12, wouldn’t come say hi! I thought it was odd so I went over to see how he was doing. I asked what was wrong and he said, “I hate Mormons and I don’t like you.” I asked him why he felt that way and he replied, “My Grandma told me not to talk to you, and that you worship satan.  She says your church is fake.” And off he went. These are surely the last times, a time when the opposition will rise! Christ will come again, and the last days are near. It’s a time we must remain stronger than ever! Hold fast to what we have been taught and continually gain a testimony.

    My love for this gospel is never ending. I love this work. I wish it would never end! The gospel is my strength and my light! I love it with all of my heart!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!! GOD IS A GOD OF MIRACLES.  Rely on His arm, He will guide you. Trust me. Be safe my friends. 

Love,

Elder Aiken

Two beautiful baptisms!

       Hello my dear family and friends. This week was another week of great miracles. I am just in awe. I bore my testimony in fast meeting yesterday and couldn’t hold back the tears. God has been so good to me. At the beginning of my mission and throughout, the Lord has asked me to make sacrifices. Some have been harder than others, one definitely more than the rest. As I sat in sacrament yesterday I pondered the week and this past year. I felt a special spirit come over me. I know that those sacrifices have brought the blessings. “Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven….” I know this to be true. Throughout our earthly existence God will have us sacrifice. At times having to sacrifice things we have yearned for all our lives, but the blessings come in return and how great they are.

       On Wednesday we were on tracting split out in the North Bend area. I was with Elder Bybee, truly one of the most amazing people I have ever met! We will be best friends forever. We have been great friends since he came out but it's amazing how spiritual experiences bring us so much closer. We were out knocking doors for a brief 60 minute time period we had. We were running from apartment to apartment just pleading with God we could find a soul to teach. The last door we knocked on before having to leave were to young boys. Josh and Brenden. They were the two nicest kids I had ever met. Usually when kids are under eighteen we don’t teach them, we usually just give them a Book of Mormon to give to their parents and leave. As we were beginning to turn around and walk off the step I had this prompting we should teach them. So I turned back to the boys and asked if we could teach them and they agreed. We asked the boys what their religious background was and they said, “We don’t really go to church. Our mom is an alcoholic and left us, she is unemployed and living in Bellevue. My Dad broke his back a few months back, we watched him get really skinny and pale. He was really addicted to pain killers but we helped him through. He is getting a lot better now. We believe in God but our parents don’t really take us to church.” I fought back tears. We taught them about baptism and how they could come unto Christ. Their faces lit up. They said, “We would love to be baptized.” The lesson we had with them was one of the most tender of all my life. The thing that hurt me most was when Josh, the older boy, ended the lesson with a prayer. He is maybe 13. “God, thank you for coming to us today. Please help my mom, help her stop drinking so she can come back. And please help my Dad stay healthy. We pray that we can have enough money to pay the rent so we can keep this house, and hopefully enough money to put food on the table…” Elder Bybee and I wept with those boys as we said goodbye. We told them that we loved them and that God would help them through. I look at these two boys, both no older than 14. How tough this world can be. What rich blessings we all enjoy. How grateful I am for God. I will spend my life serving kids like this. Oh what a blessed man I am.

      The second story this week is again of God's tender mercies in all our lives. This time was a tracting blitz with the Elders on Mercer Island. I went with Elder Biraiti. A true humble saint. We knocked on the door of a sweet Russian woman named Gerin. Right when she answered the door she said, I am not a believer. I couldn’t help but look at this sweet lady, weathered by life, and think how desperately God wanted her back. How bad He wanted her to enter in that gate back to him. We replied, “We meet many people in this world daily who don’t believe in God, but I promise that God has sent us here to tell you that he lives! He lives and we can help you know.” With a slight smile she said “Ok, I'll listen.” It's amazing to look in the eyes of people, if we will only look long enough to see that they are a child of God, a child just as important to God as our ownselves, God will fill your soul with charity. As I looked at her my heart opened and I felt God explain her day to my soul. “Gerin, we know that God sent us here today. You have had a rough day. We are representatives of Christ! We want to help.” Tears streamed down her face. She said “This world is unfair! How can their be a God.” She then explained her horrible day. We taught her of the Book of Mormon! That it was written to convince us that God does live and that Jesus is the Christ! We bore simple testimonies that Christ was sent to help all that is unfair about life, be alright. I paused for a minute, I didn’t know where else to go. This thought came into my mind, have her pray. “Gerin have you prayed before?” “No I never have.” We taught her how to pray. She then said the most humble prayer I have ever heard. She ended her prayer and stared at the ground. We then asked “What did you feel as you prayed.” After another long pause she said, “I felt warm.” I KNOW THAT GOD LIVES!!!  He saw this sweet woman, searching her whole life for the truth. He touched her soul forever that day.

       The final experience of the week was the baptism of Ivan and Jesus. This has been a wonderful week, teaching them and preparing them for baptism. Ivan is the husband and father of Chelsie and the kids who were baptized last month. 

       Ivan was not able to be around his wife for the past few weeks, because a misunderstanding. The court lifted the order early and their family was reunited! This family is the most amazing family that I have ever taught. The spirit that has been with us as we taught this family this week, has been so powerful. God has prepared Ivan and Jesus for the gospel! Chelsie and Ivan now yearn to go to the temple together. I asked Ivan how he felt as we walked out of the font. He said “ As I was brought out of the font, I felt something leave me! I feel clean!” Their smiles were amazing. They pratically ran to the building as we got out of the car to head to the baptism! What a tender week.

       This week has touched my soul forever. How blessed we all are! I love this life and this work. I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for all I have!! I love you all! Be safe and have an amazing week!!

Love,

Elder Aiken

Thanksgiving to Remember!

     Hello my dear friends and family! This past week has simply been amazing. God truly blesses us all so much. I love this life, this work, and this opportunity to serve. There were many tender mercies from the Lord this week. Thanksgiving was a great day. There aren't too many days in the year with a more tender spirit. 

     The morning of Thanksgiving, three of our zones had a Thanksgiving activity! It was great to spend time with Elders I hadn't seen in such a long while! 

Best Apple pie baked by Sister Bean!

     We had Thanksgiving with the Bean family and what a true joy that was. Oh how I love that family. Her homemade apple pie, is the single best pie I have ever eaten. What a blessing it was to spend that wonderful holiday with that family!

     On Friday Elder Berry and I along with the district leaders held a fast. We needed help. We have been striving so hard to find more souls to bring in the gospel, and all of the changes we had been making on our own weren't seeming to work. This fast was the most spiritual one of all my life. I KNOW that God lives. We had been trying with all our might to find success in the work, and it was to no avail. But the second we petition God's help, when we sacrifice our worldy desires, the windows of heaven open. I have never felt so clean and pure in all my life! The power of God flowed into our hearts. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to fast! That night once we ended our fast, the spirit whispered to me that I needed to call Natalie, a recent convert, and ask how her Thanksgiving was. That prompting was immediately followed by the feeling that she had been treated poorly by family. So I did just that, we picked up the phone and gave her a call. “Natalie how was Thanksigiving?!” “It was Ok” she said. “What happened", I asked. She proceeded to tell us that in the middle of dinner her aunt stood up and pointed at her and said, “You are a part of a cult!” She then yelled that twice more in her face. She said it was hard to see her family treat her that way, considering they never said a thing about her being Catholic.  She then said, “But it's alright, I know this is the true faith, and I will give all for it.” It was amazing as we talked, to know that God literally knew her. That he prompted us to call her! I know that God truly knows us all and what a blessing it is!

       The most amazing experience of all my life happened yesterday! You all remember Chelsie and her kids who were baptized a few weeks back. They are such a special family. Prior to us finding Chelsie, her husband was given a do-not-contact order between he and his wife. The order came by mistake from an argument they had with a friend.  It was a huge relief this week when the judge had time to review it and lifted it! Ivan is the most amazing man I have ever met. He is from Mexico and got papers to come here a few months back. His spirit shines from his face as he talks about his love for God. In Mexico Ivan was almost killed three times in very scary circumstances. We had our first lesson with Ivan last night at their home. Ivan said, “I know that God has saved my life for this, I want to be baptized so my family can be united.” His friend Jesus will also be baptized with him! As we taught Jesus he said, “a few months back I gave up drinking and cigarettes because I felt that I needed to come to know Christ.” WHAT A MIRACLE! It's great to see these to men, who throughout this life have been prepared to accept the restored gospel. We told Jesus that baptism was the first step to prepare to return and live with God. He then asked, “OK so now what's the second!?” They wanted us to stay the whole night and teach them all we knew about Christ.  I will never forget looking at Ivan and then at Chelsie, as he looked at her and said he wanted to be baptized. This family will now prepare to be sealed in the temple forever. We hope to baptize he and Jesus this weekend! Ivan walked around at church shaking everyones hand saying, “See you next week!” - before we ever even taught him. The most powerful part was his prayer. He said, “Thank you God, Thank you God for sending the missionaries to my wife. Thank you God, Thank you God for helping us find the truth.” As he finished his prayer he began to cry.

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas!

       This gospel is the most amazing thing in all my life!  This week was a week of miracles! We prayed so hard that God would send people to our church building on Sunday that we hadn't met before and he did! He sent many souls! It was a miracle. Lisa and Nick and the whole family came to church this week. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

      I can't wait to come back next year and see Ivan and his family sealed in the temple. This is God's plan. This truly is the truth and the way. I love this gospel with all my heart! It changes lives in every way possible. I would be a lost soul without it. I LOVE YOU ALL MORE THAN YOU CAN EVER KNOW!!!  Please stay safe.

Love,

Elder Aiken

Visit from Elder and Sister Oaks!

        HELLO EVERYONE!!! Boy-o-boy has this been a blessed week. I am forever grateful for my life! I love it here! We had a wonderful Stake Conference this weekend that touched my soul. We spent much of the morning conversing with recent converts and close friends from our wards! I just looked at the Stake Presidency on the stand, and I thought to myself, I never thought I could find another place that felt like home! This has become home! I love it here with all my heart. These are some of the greatest people that I have ever met in all my life. What a blessing from God to have been sent to a place that has become so near and dear to my heart.

        This week Elder and Sister Oaks visited our mission! We have been blessed with so many General Authorities which have visited this area, but these two were something very special. Saturday they came and spoke to the missionaries. I will never forget the spirit that was in that building! What a Man of God. There were many things said that will touch and shape me the rest of my life! The thing that touched me most was his talk of the evil of the world that exists today.  He said that “Now more than ever we must have the armor of God! Without it we are naked before the world.” How true that is. If we do not live our lives in such a way as to allow the spirit to comfort and guide us, we cannot be strong in this ever changing world. 

      The past week we have been in a few leadership meetings. Recently we were in a Stake Leadership meeting for our Stake. As I sat on the stand it was amazing to look out across the audience. Here were many righteous men who lead and guide us, yet there was a difference between many. There were some who seem to have “plateaued” and used the meeting as a time for Iphone games. Others were anxiously seeking revelation from God, writing the inspiration that came to them during that wonderful meeting. In life it is easy to “plateau". To think, I have learned all I can learn, helped all I can help, and been all I can be. This is when we begin to enter treacherous waters. The storms of life will take us away and swallow us in the deep! ESPECIALLY IN THE WORLD TODAY! Our armour must ever get stronger. We must always seek to grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just as with any muscle in the Human body. We can work out for weeks and our muscles can become huge! Can we “plateau” in those workouts and maybe slow down a bit? No. The muscle will shrink. It may not be noticeable at first. But slowly it will fade away! As will our testimony if we don’t constantly nourish it! 

     Another thing that really touched my soul, was when Elder Bussey of the Seventy spoke on following the spirit. He said, “Never consider the outcome.” It's so easy to receive a prompting from the spirit, and then spend the next ten minutes debating the outcome of following that prompting. When we receive a prompting from the spirit, it isn't debate, think, ponder, then do! It is, Go and Do.

       This Sunday was also another special day! Elder and Sister Oaks held a special stake conference for our stake! It was yet another tender mercy from the Lord to be here for this lovely experience. He arrived an hour early to walk amongst the people and shake their hands. It was a special sight to see. There were nearly 1,300 people there! The night before this meeting we had been praying that God would lead us to someone in the Issaquah 1^st Ward we could invite to attend the meeting! As we had left the Elder Oaks missionary meeting, this strong prompting to invite a woman named Vickie came into my mind. We rushed over to her house and she said, “I would love to come!” which absolutely shocked us, as she had declined all of our previous invitations! Well she actually came on Sunday! Sister Oaks walked in at about 10 minutes before the meeting began. I brought her over to those who were investigating the Church! She sat with Lisa and her kids for about 5 minutes just talking about life! Lisa just cried as they conversed. Then the most amazing thing happened. She saw Vickie who was crying as the meeting began. She followed the promptings of the spirit and went as spoke with her. Little did Sister Oaks know, Vickie had just recently lost her beloved husband. Right as the meeting was about to begin, Sister Oaks walked Vickie to the restroom to get her a kleenex and to be a comforting ear! It was amazing to see a woman that put everything aside to help someone in need! When Elder Oaks spoke, the spirit just flew into that wonderful meeting. There was something that he said that I will never forget. He said, “As I have visited this stake and looked at its report, it's one of the strongest stakes of Zion in the whole church. But a brief thought I would like to mention. Only 38% of the full tithe payers, donate fast offerings.” He didn’t even expound much but just simply challenged us to ponder it. Last night I could hardly sleep. I couldn’t stop thinking about all that I was blessed with! How much God has poured into my life and how easy it is to forget to give back. That’s all the Savior did. He gave ALL for the people! All of those around us are truly our Brothers and Sisters. As we look through the eyes of God, our eyes can be opened to see all those that stand in need. I am forever grateful for that humbling moment in my life where I realized I need to rededicate myself to giving more! To helping our Brothers and Sisters. 

     I LOVE YOU ALL! My Birthday was amazing! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LOVE THIS WEEK! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! I hope that all is well. Please be safe my dear friends. God be with you!

Love,

Elder Aiken

Let's Follow Christ!

Not quite sure why we wash our cars - it's always raining!!!

     Hello everyone!!! What a beautiful and fabulous week here in Issaquah! We survived another transfer!! Elder Berry and I are so blessed and excited to serve another transfer together. It will be great to have my second Thanksgiving and Christmas here. Our Stake President wants me to start looking for property. This truly is the best place on earth (besides Sandy, Utah.) 

     My heart is so full. Lisa is doing amazing! That family has become dear friends. She won't be baptized this weekend, she is waiting a bit until her husband is in full support. The lessons with them this week were so touching. It's great to teach people about Christ. Homes, and lives change when His gospel is taught.

     Over the past week, I have been pondering a lot, my love for my Savior, Jesus Christ. The most amazing thing to me is meeting people from all over the world and seeing their view on Christ. I have realized and come to know that this life is about choice. God, in his wisdom gave us agency. We all are given the choice between good and evil, these choices are presented to us daily, even hourly. The ultimate question of life is who will we follow? Will I follow Christ? This choice is simple, straight forward but will chart the course of our life.  Life without our Savior, can be liveable. Yes, you CAN make it through. And yes we can follow Him in some of our choices, but solely following Christ, living so that we can one day see His face, is true Joy. The Light and Life of the world can be our constant and ever changing guide through this mortal existence. And yet simply, that choice is left up to us. Do we want to live in such a way as to let His light fill our souls? 

     As we have receieved the most recent Ensign, there is a talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks that has been on my mind. There are two parts I would like to quote. Dallin H. Oaks said. “Jesus issued the challenge, “What think ye of Christ?” (Matthew 22:42). The Apostle Paul challenged the Corinthians to “examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). All of us should answer these challenges for ourselves. Where is our ultimate loyalty? Are we like the Christians in Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s memorable description who have moved their residence to Zion but still try to keep a second residence in Babylon? There is no middle ground. We are followers of Jesus Christ.” When we do this, when we are loyal to our Savior and His path, the windows of heaven cannot be stayed. Our burdens become lighter, we see the world differently. We see it as a place to grow and become like Him. That this life doesn’t have to be lived alone, but that we can walk in his ways and He truly will be by our side. 

     Dallin H Oaks also said “Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten and Beloved Son of God. He is our Creator. He is the Light of the World. He is our Savior from sin and death. This is the most important knowledge on earth, and you can know this for yourself…” As missionaries we proudly wear the name of Christ! And I proudly bear testimony of Him at every door and to every soul I meet. My life would be a dark and dreary place without my Savior! He has saved me from so much, and is a constant source of joy. His path is simple, but straight. It’s the most true and happy path we can take in this life. I am so grateful for Him during this holiday season! That he suffered, bled and died for me! He is there! He always will be, NO. Matter. What. We won't be alone, we never have to be, if we will but hold to His ways. 

     I love you all! I love this life and my Savior! I do know without a doubt that He lives. How blessed we are to have that knowledge. How blessed we are to be able to share it with others this time of year. I love you all! I am truly happy, this birthday week is already off to a great start! God has blessed me richly and there isn't a better place to spend a birthday! I LOVE YOU ALL, LET'S FOLLOW CHRIST! 

Love,

Elder Aiken

Light and Life!

     My dear friends and family! I love you and hope that life is well! My heart is touched so deeply by this past week. I just love this life and this opportunity to serve. My Father in Heaven has blessed me so richly.  I am truly forever indebted to Him!
     It's been one of those weeks that I will never forget. This young family we are teaching in the Tiger Mountain Ward has changed my life forever.  I just love them so much.  The day we knocked on Lisa's door, there was this strong feeling that I knew her before. I had never felt something like that before.  Lisa had seen us the previous day knocking up the street and said she hoped she would be home when we knocked on her door. The days following meeting this family I just couldn’t get them off of my mind, they were just so great.  Everyday I would say to Elder Berry, “I swear I knew Lisa before this life.” So Wednesday we went to teach Lisa and Mike. Lisa said “I have to tell you something weird. When I first met my husband Mike 10 years ago, it was odd, it felt like I had known him all my life. I would constantly ask him where we met before. I had never had something like that happen before or since! But then I met you guys, and I just have the strongest feeling I knew you before! But there is just no way I could have seen you before.” I just tried so hard not to cry when I explained my side of the story.  The bishop was there at the meeting and then he said, "Let me tell my side of the story.  Elder Aiken got transferred to a different part of the mission. And then he got transferred back. Leslie, I know that Elder Aiken was sent back to teach your family.”  The spirit was so strong in the room. I will never forget when President Larkin texted me after I found out I was getting transferred back to Issaquah, he said, "A voice from heaven declared that you should return…” 
     I am grateful for a God that knows each of us individually. God is a God of miracles. He is in charge of everyting and knows us all so personally. I have come to get a slight taste of that on my mission. This family is the most beautiful family I have ever met. Lisa is just loving to learn about the gospel, she said she finally feels like she is home! Her husband Mike is starting to sit in on the discussions and came to church on Sunday with her and the kids! It was amazing to see them there. Lisa is on date for baptism on the 19^th and we are so excited!
     I just hope you all know how much I love God. I know He is there. I have learned that we can only succeed in this life to our full potential as we rely on Him.  I am a weak and simple man, but God has helped me become strong. There is not greater joy than sharing the gospel. We run from person to person, praying that God will lead us to the lost souls searching for Him. God truly places us where we are for a reason. Everything is planned.  It's amazing as we begin to open our mouths and share the gospel, the people that God has placed right next to us that yearn for the truth. We are all just clay in His hands, instruments in the amazing work of the Almighty God. 
     I know that faith, repentance, and baptism are essential! They prepare us to return to God again! Lets not have any empty seats in the Eternities. God has the richest blessings awaiting us, as long as we keep the commandments. I know that following the commandments is THE only way to happiness. I hope you know how much I love you all! I thank you for your prayers. You will never, ever know how much they mean to me! They heal and lift my soul. Speaking of Christ, Abinadi said in Mosiah 16:9: "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless..."
     I bear testimony that I know light does exist, and it truly is endless.  Only we can hide the light and only we can see the light.  I end, praying that we can all rely more on the light in our lives and turn to it always, as it will guide our way back to Him!
     Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Aiken

Cleaning the pigeon cage!

4 Baptisms!

Beautiful Fall in Issaquah!

      Hello Everyone! Happy Halloween!! I hope that you all have a wonderful day and are able to spend it with friends and family. This week was truly amazing AND humbling.  It was life changing.  

      In life we struggle at times going forth with faith.  It takes stength to stand tall and be strong. Our hope is built from prior faith building experiences. Gaining faith and hope in this life is essential!  I feel that this past week has built my faith and hope for a lifetime!

     We have been teaching Lisa, the school teacher all this week, and it has just been incredible. On Monday, we watched the restoration dvd with Lisa and her kids!  It was so powerful, the spirit is truly the confirmation of all truth and it was there in abundance!  Halfway through the video her son whispered, “Mom is this true!?” At the end of the video we asked him how he felt and he just started to cry. What a blessing God has given us to have the Holy Ghost to guide us in this life!  

     Our lesson on Friday was somehow even better!  When we sat down she said, “I have had an interesting week, after our lesson on Wednesday I couldn’t sleep!  I wanted to know more, and know why this is changing my life!  I almost called you guys in the middle of the night but I felt bad!” She added, “I can't get the Book of Mormon off my mind, it's all I think about and I just don’t know why!” 

     After we talked we read Alma 32 vs 28: Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. 

     After reading this verse she looked up at us and just began to cry.  She said “This is what has happened to me.”  This is the power of the Book of Mormon!  It is the word of God and it will teach us all things. There is a power in this book that we can't find anywhere else.  It's no wonder that we are asked to read of its pages daily! The words of Christ simply will teach us all that we should do in this life.  During that lesson Lisa chose her own date for baptism and is doing amazing.  God is a God of miracles!

Nieto Family Baptism!

     The other experience was with the Nieto family.  This was an experience I will never forget. As a ward we had a goal to baptize four souls in the month of October. As of last week we had only baptized one person and our goal seemed impossible.  On Tuesday night we were planning and we felt inpsired to go by and visit Chelsie, a young mom we had found two weeks prior but had no luck in getting back in contact with for days! When we knocked on her door it was as if words filled my mouth, “Chelsie we have been sent by God to tell you that He loves you and that His gospel has been restored to bless your family.” We said that we were busy now but wondered if we could come back later.  She started to cry and said I would love that. We came back later that night and wondered why she cried at the door!  She said, “My husband is no longer allowed to live here, I am raising this family alone.  I got on my knees this morning and told God I couldn’t do it anymore and I needed help and needed to know what to do next.”  We felt inspired to tell her that we had a baptismal service this Sunday if her family wanted to be baptized. She said “I would love that, we want to be closer to God and want a new start in life, I know you were sent by God.” For the next few days we taught the whole family twice a day! They soaked up the gospel.  Katielynn, her daughter said “ I prayed about the Book of Mormon and I felt my heart sparkle!” Haha she is too cute. The family was baptized yesterday and was the most spiritual day of my life.  It was amazing to see this young family enter the fold of Christ, to join his fold. They were placed in our path for a reason! God knows us and guides us back to Him.

Lisa's baptism!

     We also baptized Emma, Lisa's daughter.  We baptized Lisa at the beginning of the month!

      I just simply testify that God is a God of miracles. We see them everyday in our lives but we must choose whether we notice them or not. 

     I learned three things from this experience. 1: We must begin with a spiritual experience. We prayed as a ward and strongly felt that we could find four souls! That was the anchor that kept us going! My favorite example is that of Enos!  His faith became strong after he felt the power of God!  “And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord…” We must seek the spirit of the Lord which will allow us to stay strong no matter the circumstance. 

     2:  Remain in righteousness. As we live our lives righteously as to allow the spirit of the Lord to guide us, we will not be led astray! We will accomplish our goals and dreams! 

     3: And lastly, we must rely on Christ. At the beginning of the week I just decided I had to turn it all to the Lord! Christ said “I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Why not then rely soley on Christ!? We must have pure faith in Him. That it truly is all up to Him and He will light the way. As we combine all of these things in our lives, miracles happen! It's amazing how God works. We found this family two weeks ago! We could have started to teach them then and reached our goal. But instead it came down to the last week! As we endure our trials, we gain hope! That’s why God tests us and tries us! This family of three was placed in our path, as a tender mercy from God! We did nothing.  He prepared them and guided them and led them to the truth! Christ has redeemed this family!  He has guided them to His church. The Savior will do the same for us daily as we turn it all over to Him and walk each step in faith, following after his righteousness. 

     I love My Father in Heaven and My Savior.  I will forever live my life as to be guided by them. They love us! They are teaching us daily, They always are, we just have to decide to learn from our experiences.  I will be forever grateful for this week.  I love you all! This is the Truth!  I share my own witness, that Christ lives.  He loves us all!  He is the only way to happiness.  Let's rely on Him, especially in these troubled times. Be safe this holiday. 

Love,

Elder Aiken