The great power of HOPE!

     Dear friends and family, and to all of you that I love! I hope that you have had an absolutely wonderful and powerful week! God lives and is truly present in our lives. I am so deeply grateful for His love for each of us.

     My time is short on here today, but I must share an experience that I won't soon forget. A truly memorable moment for me in my life. On Saturday, I was out in May Valley with one of our District leaders. That morning we had just taught a less-active woman. We left the doorstep and ran around to each home in the neighborhood! People were everywhere (that happens when the sun comes out in Washington…you don’t stay inside) so we ran from person to person spreading the gospel. After talking  with one woman, out of the corner of my eye, down a long muddy road I saw a man standing in his yard. The house was a well worn, and his face matched it well. As we walked to him he made a couple of jokes our way, and soon after, we heard footsteps walking towards us.  Then a voice said, “I'll listen.” She walked us to the corner of the yard, where tears quickly filled her eyes. My dear friends, I have never seen a more sad face in all my life. She wept as she talked about her life. Her four year old son had just been taken by CPS for the second time. She was lost. Raised in a home with a mother who used drugs all her life, and siblings that were traveling down the same road. She grew up in a world without hope and was headed towards destruction. We taught her of God's love for her, and that through THIS message, hope would come. That soon her son could possibly be back in her arms and that she could soon be free from this horrible addiction. 

     I never in all my life have felt so much love for a soul. Such a longing to help and heal her. I am not capable of that, but I realized something that morning. We often travel down horrible paths, but we need not lose hope! Christ broke the sadness of doubt and blinding despair! There is always hope in the Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Soon, the once prideful and haughty man, walked towards us.  With tears in her eyes the woman said to him, "you're next!" We taught them both that they truly could be free from sin! They both beamed with joy and asked what needed to be done. What a great plan! To know that through baptism they can be cleansed! And they will be cleansed. They are striving as a couple to be baptized on the 17^th of May.

     I know that there is a Savior and Redeemer of this world. Satan will fill us with doubt and try to get us to think that all is lost! BUT IT IS NOT!  I testify that each of us can gain greater hope in each day through the Atoning blood of Christ. I love you all BE SAFE  and love each day, and fill it with the eternal hope of Christ!

Love,

Elder Aiken

Steady the feeble hands!

     Hello everyone!!! Good afternoon. This week has been marvelous.  I feel that God's power has guided us to many mighty miracles. This is the greatest of all work. It has captured my heart and soul and will forever be my passion in life! This life is the time for us to prepare to meet God, and help others around us do the same! 

     As a missionary I plead with God each night that I may be lead to bring my brothers and sisters home. I yearn for each day to slow down, as time seems to be going at a speed much quicker than my mind can comprehend. This is the work of Salvation! The work of saving souls! How great is this work.

     I have been reading and studying the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon the last few days and its power and spirit burns within my soul. The words that are spoken are powerful and uplifting! Alma and Amulek travel amongst the Nephites for the first few chapters, spreading the gospel and preaching the truth! Their service was long, exhausting and hard. I can only fathom the work they did. After that leg of service we read this in Alma 15: “Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord.”  This verse strikes my soul. Alma must have wanted to rest and relax for days, but he took time to “minister unto".  I plead with my Father in Heaven that someday I may have that same charity, that love for my fellow beings. 

     Friday evening I had a powerful experience, one that has touched my heart forever. I was on an exchange with one of our District leaders, and after a long day running from place to place, we returned home to plan for the next day. After planning, my body yearned for rest, there were many things that needed to be updated and completed by nights end, but something burned within me. I felt strongly that it was my turn to “minister unto”.  The next ten minutes we had a powerful gospel discussion that turned into a marvelous spiritual feast, as the Elder I was with expressed his frustrations. That one prompting turned into a night of spiritual power. We like Alma must remember that there is always someone to “minister unto”. 

     Often after a long days work, or a frustrating day, we cry for rest or for our own pleasures. Does Christ, in our moment of trial say, I'll just wait til im done with this movie? No. He spent His life in selfless service. In this lies true joy. The joy of serving our own pleasures will only last a brief moment, but losing ourselves in the service of God brings lasting jot. We, as sons and daughters of God, must be united with His spirit! To take time to follow its tender promptings, and then follow! It's our time to lift up the weary and strengthen the fold no matter how tired we may be! It's our time to be disciples of Christ! For isn't that why we are here?

     Briefly before I go there is a powerful experience I wish to share! The morning after that discussion with that Elder I was with, we headed out for a new day! I felt a strong prompting to go visit a few people that we had not planned on seeing the previous night, but the people weren't home. A bit frustrated, we kept running and ran to our next appointment, only to find that person wasn’t home either. As we were running back to the car, off in the distance we saw a man and woman playing with their dog in the park, so we ran over the hill and down to where they were. We asked if they were religious. He quickly said, “No!”, and she replied “Yes.” Our attention turned to her as she began to walk closer to us. She said “I want to speak with you! I know that you have been sent by God, and I want to learn more.” We bore a brief testimony of God's love for her, and His ability to place her in our path! She then said with tears running down her face, “The world is coming to and end isn't it? I know it is! And I don’t want to miss out.” My heart was filled with joy! How much God loved her, and answered the questions of this woman's soul! God lives and loves each of us! He will guide us to strengthen those around us. She soon will be passed off to be taught by the Sister Missionaries where she lives. Oh the glory and mercy of God! He is in charge. We need not doubt nor fear.

     My dear brothers and sisters! “Shall we not go on in so great a cause….”  The natural man truly is an enemy to God, as King Benjamin tells us in the Book of Mormon! We have been given a body to fight that off, and learn to control our spirits. The natural man is focused inward! On me, me, me! Our lives often become bogged down by the wiles of this world! We are busy that’s true. But there are feeble hands to steady, smiles to create, and days to brighten. How glad I am this day for a loving Father in Heaven who never lets me down. I will serve Him all my days. For in His service, have I become truly happy. It’s the day and time to make a change in this world! To go forward and not backward. This is the work of the Lord, and I testify that He lives. I love you all. Be safe!

Love,

Elder Aiken

Easter blessings!

     Hello my dear friends and family!! I HOPE THAT ALL IS WELL AND THAT YOU HAD AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS EASTER. This week has been a week of rich learning and understanding. My heart is touched and filled with a special spirit. 

     Easter is a powerful time of year, it’s a time I feel so humbled and so grateful. During this time of year we are given choice oppurtunities to reflect on the gift and love of our Savior Jesus Christ. I feel so close to Him and feel His love guide my life. We are never alone! We never will be. I often ask myself if His countenance is engraven upon my face? 

     I have reflected this week often about why we are here, and why there was so much effort put into us being able to return home. I have come to love and appreciate the purpose of this life! We are here to prepare to meet God. To learn to gain those divine attributes so that one day we might enjoy the blessings he has for us. It's amazing to think of the blessing that this life is! We go through many trials and tribulations! But EACH trial gives us the oppurtunity to learn to love a little more, and strive to be selfless. Many things in this life try to pull our thoughts inward, but as we strive to gain charity and love during those times, we will be polished into perfect beauty.

     A little over a year ago we tracted into a woman named Diana. She truly is one of the sweetest ladies I had ever me. At the time she said, “If you are here to baptize me, it's never going to happen. Not now nor ever. I just moved from Idaho to get away from the Mormons.”

     At that very moment we took the time to bear sweet and poweful testimony that this was the truth, and that God had placed us in her path to help her find true happiness. We promised her that she could read the Book of Mormon and that God would reveal to her of it's truth. I have learned now and forever that we must always stand for witnesses of the truth! How blessed we are to be in these final days. God sent us to prepare the people! To bring people eternal joy and happiness among a world fighting for wickedness.  Months later Diana began again to read the Book of Mormon and to take Moroni’s challenge to heart. In Moroni chapter ten in the Book of Mormon it reads, “Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” 

     Is there a scripture that shows more love? God doesn’t want us to be lost, or alone! He never has and he never will! God doesn’t want us to wander this earth with unaswered questions! Through that promise, we can ALL know if that Book is true! We don’t have to rely on anyone elses testimony. A moment between us and God.  In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord reveals to us the key to any knowledge we are in search for. The formula in which we can know for ourselves any truth we seek. “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.”  

Diana's baptism!

     Months after she took that challenge she began to show up at church, and soon revealed that she knew the Book of Mormon was true. My heart is touched and my heart is full. She was baptized on Saturday and it was a life changing one for me. The difference in the spirit and countenance from our encounter one year ago, to that moment as she walked into the church building on Saturday, is remarkable. She is a changed person and will no doubt be a leader of this church some day! Her spirit is special and her love flows from her face! 

     Brothers and Sisters I stand as a wittness before you this day, that God lives. That He does love us and has truly restored His church to the earth today! Not a church led by man but a church led by God! A church set up just as Christ established it when he was here! In Ephesians we read, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”

     I am deeply grateful this day for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Tears water my face as I ponder this glad message! God loves us today just as much as he did the people in the time of Moses! He still calls living Prophets. The Lord in His infinite love and mercy has given us the Book of Mormon as the physical evidence in which we can know for ourselves, if this truly is the Restored Church! As we gain that witness it's up to us to live by its teachings! To not walk along a crooked path, but to stay firm and true! Satan isn't playing around these days, there isn't time to falter! The Lord has given us every tool to fill our souls with light each day, that will guide us through this troubled world!! Stay strong and stay true my dear Brothers and Sisters. Know that God lives, and He will calm your doubts and fears.

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Aiken

"No pain lasts forever!"

     To my dear friends and family, I hope that you have had a great week and know that I love and admire you! This week was a wonderful week.  The Lord God of Israel never ceases to be a God of miracles. His power is tangible and His effects are wide reaching. We were busy much of the week with meetings and today I will have to be short. There were a few things though that deeply impressed my heart, and that I feel impressed to share.

     Saturday as we drove to an appointment, I glanced on the side of the road and saw Sharon. It had been a week or so since we had seen her. She looked haggard, and stumbled down the sidewalk with no direction seemingly in mind. We pulled over on the side of the road, and ran to her. We steadied her troubled soul, as she clung to our arms to keep her balance. We walked to a near by bench where she quickly began tearing up. Our dear Sister Sharon has had a rough few years. God has led us to her numerous times! She cried as she reminisced about her past and her two young daughters she desperately missed. Tears welled in my eyes as she began to shake and said, “I need a drink soon!” As I sat looking at her troubled face, I couldn’t help but wonder how our Father in Heaven must feel for her. As President Boyd K. Packer said in General Conference yesterday, “No pain will last forever with the Atonement.” This poor woman, once full of life, now struggles at night to decide which couch to sleep on. In this world, and this sojourn in life, we need not fear! With the Lord we are never alone. We at times may travel down a dark path, might miss a few exits on the way, or trip on fall during a deep struggle. But the Lord will never look away. He is our Master and our friend. 

     I leave you all with my humble and simple testimony. We must live each day to see the face of our Savior! So that when we do fall, we might notice His ever reaching hand to pick us back up! God lives. And he will help you through “the encircling glooms.” Be safe and have a great week!

Love,

Elder Aiken