Tuesday, January 11, 2011

January 10, 2011

     Another great week here in Issaquah!  We have been hard at work trying to keep both wards busy and keep the fire going. It's all kind of a blur as we're very busy with meetings and tracting!  
     I don’t have much time this morning to write but I'll share as quickly as possible! This New Year is turning out to be great!  The start of a full year as a missionary which is really exciting! On Tuesday we headed up to Talus to go tracting, a really cool new development here in Issaquah. When we were about to leave we got a call from our Elders Quorum President asking if we could come help give a Priesthood Blessing to someone in Talus, which turned out great because we were already there.  So we waited and when he got there we started to walk over to the apartment and realized that it was at the house of one of our investigators we haven't been able to see for awhile. When we got there I realized that the blessing was for the seven year old son.  He didn’t want to come upstairs because he was having too much fun playing downstairs but after a lot of coersion he came to the top of the stairs. He sat over there pouting so I went over and sat by him and we talked about life.  He was just the cutest kid!  After awhile, I explained that we wanted to give him a blessing so he would feel better and that I would sit with him while he received the blessing.  After the blessing I gave him a high five and we exchanged smiles and he ran down stairs. We all sat and talked for awhile and we asked what was wrong. A few weeks ago he wouldn’t wake up and after some testing they think that they have found he has Lukemia.  I was in shock.  I had no clue and as I sat with this kid and talked with him, and his smile about life ahead, I couldn’t imagine going through that. The mom was so strong and so positive after the blessing.  The Spirit that was in that room was amazing! We all realized that comforting peace that comes from a Priesthood blessing.  I know that he will be ok and that our Savior will walk hand in hand with him. 
     We also had a great visit with a recent convert to the Church named Alfred.  Such an amazing man.  He is from Uganda! His dad is really well off there and owns a bunch of bakeries.  He came here to learn how to bake but decided to stay! We talked a lot about life and the love our Savior has and we should have for everyone!  He told us that he decided to take a second job at the old folks home across the street, but not for the money.  He says in Africa everyone loves helping people and those that are less fortunate or sick are always taken in and uplifted.  It was the most inspiring thing I have heard.  He says he goes there to help them and comfort them because he doesn’t want them to feel alone! What an amazing man.  It left me with a renewed desire to love everyone.  No matter what! 
     When the Savior came to the earth, none of his life was about Him. It was ALL about serving others! I was reading in Alma this week and came upon some amazing verses that really filled me with the spirit. Alma 7:12.  He didn't die just for our sins, but he died to succor us.  That means "to run to the aid of" so everything, literally everything we will ever go through, He has gone through and He died so He can run to OUR aid!  It's amazing to know that He knows each and every one of us and loves us all the same!  I want to help everyone know that so none of us feel lost or alone.  Have a great week - and happy trails!  Love Elder Aiken.

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