Mighty Miracles!

     Hello everyone!! I hope you have had a wonderful week. I often wonder what life would be like if I didn’t have the opportunity to serve a mission and I just thank the Lord daily for this experience. This has truly changed my life.  It is molding me into the man I want to be.  I love it with all of my Heart.  God is so close to us here, the presence of the Savior is almost tangible at times. 

     So, Federal Way is really different from Issaquah! I love it. The Lord places so many prepared people in our path it's the greatest blessing! We have been teaching a lot of Marshalese people and it's amazing to see their spirit. They are such a spirit-filled people, so full of love for God!  If only we could love like they do.

     On Tuesday we had a really important meeting with the zone. We unveiled a goal for the next 30 days that we want to accomplish before Elder L. Tom Perry arrives to our mission.  I was so nervous. I didn’t know how anything I could say could inspire our zone. We prayed earnestly and prepared so hard that God would be with us. We said the most humble prayer before entering the room.  As we presented the goal to the zone the Spirit flooded the room.  Elder Bunton and I were filled with tears as the Spirit became so strong in our hearts.  We read “Onward Christian Soldiers” to the zone and I don’t think anyone had a dry eye. We all committed to “Tread as the saints before us have Trod”.  In all my life I have never felt the Spirit so strong.  We all were so overcome with emotion as the Spirit confirmed to us that Christ is at the helm of this work!  He knows us all and wants us to accomplish this goal.  I will never forget that moment.  As Elder Bunton and I cleaned up the room to head out we both looked at each other and couldn’t remember a thing that was said in that meeting. 

     I know personally that God lives.  He knows us all!  I know this with every fiber of my being. 

     Yesterday morning as I was studying my scriptures my heart was weighed down with sadness because we didn't have many people that were going to come to church.  We had worked so hard the previous days and things seemed bleak.  I prayed and asked God for strength.  As I asked why this was happening, I felt as if God was saying "hold on my son I am working a mighty miracle." That morning as we went with our ward mission leader to pick up a Marshalese kid, he brought 5 others with him!  Two cars were filled with people that wanted to come to church!  Eight people came to church on Sunday.  I was amazed.  God is a God of miracles!  He has a plan!  As we rely on Him we will never fail!  This experience led me to Mosiah chapter 23.  Here, Alma and his people,  recently converted to the Church, have fled and established a home in Helam.  There they were prospering, being obedient, and living the ways of the Lord.  In verse 21 it says "Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith."  I am so grateful for chastening, for trials of faith!  They make us stronger, better, and build our character!  This is the purpose of life!  During these times we must rely on the Savior and we will never be led astray!

            Through the experiences of this week I have learned that charity is the key to happiness. Without it we are nothing.  With it we can conquer anything.  As we pray daily to be filled with charity and to conquer pride, our hearts become united with the Savior! As we are united with the Savior we can help heal hearts.  I love you all so much.  I am grateful beyond measure for the oppurtunity to serve the Lord for two years.  It's going by too fast at times, but I am grateful for the time I have.  Have a great week!

Love, Elder Aiken.