Act Like Ammon!

All of my former/current companions!

     Good Monday everyone!  This has been another great and growing week for me!  Elder Keith Edwards of the Second Quorum of the Seventy came and spoke to our mission and it was just amazing.  He served as Mission President in Zimbabwe and lived in the Philippines for five years working for the church.  His spirit that he brought to our meetings was so powerful, a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  There were so many things that touched me - I learned things that will benefit me the rest of my life.  I was so blessed to be there.  I was struck by his teachings of beginning to look outward in our lives.  He directed us to the story of Ammon in the Book of Mormon.  Ammon gives all to go the land of Ishamael, a group of greatly feared enemies.  After sometime of talking with the King over the land of Ishamael, King Lamoni, he offers him many things! King Lamoni really admires Ammon: "And it came to pass that king Lamoni was much pleased with Ammon, and caused that his bands should be loosed: and he would that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife.  But Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy servant. Therefore Ammon became a servant to king Lamoni.” In life Satan always gives us oppurtunites to become selfish and full of pride.  Ammon chose to rise above, look beyond himself, and look outward.  That to me is so powerful and is the greatest lesson we can all learn in life.  As we begin to stop thinking about ourselves, and look past our own desires and wants, we are blessed!  God guides us to mighty miracles and blessings that can uplift and guide us all of our lives!  My favorite quote, a quote that I try to live by “Assume the good, and doubt the bad.”  As we forget ourselves and serve others, we become filled with charity, which love Christ had so perfectly!  The whole meeting seemed to be on charity and how it has blessed him all his life.  I left that meeting with a changed heart, with a firm determination to live my life so that we can one day see the face of our Savior.  

     After the meeting he met with each of the Zone leaders personally, and his advice was so powerful.  We talked together mostly about faith!  He said “In life we must do more than the minimums.  In our faith we must do the same.”  We all at times have the tendency to just do the minimums, go to church and pray. In all reality will that ever get us anywhere?  He said “God wants us closer to Him, don’t stray!  And don’t do the minimums!”  In Alma we are told that the purpose of this life is to prepare to meet God. We have been given so many amazing tools to help us return into His presence.  How blessed we are.  As we do more than the bare minimums, we will have an increase of the spirit in our lives, the spirit that guides us to all truth!

     Saturday we had such a great baptism of Lisa!  It was so powerful and so touching.  She truly has come so far.  It was amazing to see her radiate after!  She just grabbed our hands after leaving church yesterday and said "thank you so much!"  You'll never know.  She is such a sweet and tender spirit.  Yesterday at Churh, Sky, a young women we have been teaching came up to us and said “I want to be baptized Oct 1^st in the afternoon.” OK!! Yeah we can make that happen.  It's an amazing miracle!  Her mom, an inactive member who she hasn’t seen in four years is coming to town that weekend! A complete answer to her prayers as she has been praying so hard to know what to do.  

     This work is amazing.  We are all trying to be true disciples of our devine Savior Jesus Christ.  He truly is the Light and the life of all.  I am eternally grateful for the blessings of this time out here!  I love you all.  Have a safe and happy week! Happy Fall!

Love,

Elder Aiken