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