The Work rolls on!

    Hello everyone! Good afternoon! The Lord has spared me another transfer and I will be staying here for six more weeks with Elder Lindeman! I can't wait. This truly has been a miraculous transfer and this upcoming one will be amazing. My dear friends, God lives and loves us! How powerful it is to know of their plan for us here, and that all will be well in time!

     Tears come to my eyes as I recall this past week. The miracles that were seen were literally from the heavens. I owe everything to my all merciful Father in Heaven. As Elder Lindeman and I knelt to pray last night, we were in awe, speechless recalling all that happened. We feel that we have done nothing to deserve this, and completely humbled by the Lord's willingness to be with us.

     Sunday, as I mentioned last week, a woman came up to us and notified us that her children wanted to be baptized! Monday we went and taught this wonderful family. We walked into the garage to see that all of them sitting reverently on the couch with hymn books ready to learn. It was a powerful thing to feel of their spirit and see their excitement! Vianne, Bryan, and Angel will all be baptized on June 24^th! We can't wait. We have been teaching them for a week now, but their less-active mothers wouldn’t join. Last night the mother of Bryan and Angel, and Vianne's mother both joined the lesson. We watched the video of the Restoration. I couldn’t help but hold back tears as I looked across the room at this family. The mothers were hit so deeply by the Spirit that they broke down in tears. Both haven’t attended church for years. Carol, the mother of Angel and Bryan, said the closing prayer. She became very emotional as she expressed her desire to come nearer to Christ. It's amazing to see this whole family beginning to come back to church! That is how God works.

     For the past few weeks we have been teaching Kaylee, the single mother I have spoken of a few times. This week as we entered her home, her face beamed with joy. She literally looked like a different person, the spirit felt so different in that home. She said, “I have prayed, and I feel this is true! I feel this is what God wants for my family!” She read the talk from Elder Baxter last General Conference to single mothers and was changed forever by it. She says that every single mom should have it posted upon the walls of their homes. I'll never forget looking at this family as they sat on the couch together, and picturing all of the steps that were put in place for her to be in this ward at this time. What a miracle! She will be baptized next weekend.

     Thursday we had yet another miracle! That morning we felt prompted to go do a blitz with a set of Sisters in the zone, and as we began knocking the doors of the spot they sent us, it just didn’t feel right. This was actually the same area I served in last summer!  I bowed my head to seek the Lord's help in where we should be, and the face of a man I talked to once popped into my head, soon followed by the picture of the street. We ran to the car, and headed to the area. We ran up to the door and knocked. Soon Brody answered. The very man I taught once last year, and he looked so happy to see us. We taught him briefly about Christ and he said, “I still really want to be baptized!” He accepted an invitation to be baptized next month! I have pondered the miracle of this encounter for the last few days, and have been humbled sufficiently. The Lord knew this young man's heart and wanted him to enter into His fold. The Lord knew he would be home then and slowly guided us throughout the day so that we might be there at that time. How wonderful is the Plan of our Father. How lucky we are all to be instruments in His hands. I wish that this service could extend for years. Seeing the joy appear on a burdened face, once they hear of Christ and His love, is something I will cherish all my life. I just can picture the joy that must come upon the face of our Father in Heaven when His children turn their lives back on the right track.

     Greg called us on Friday with an amazing story!!! He said he woke up that morning around 5 am with a burning in his heart and he knew that God wanted him to be baptized. That morning we received the following message, “Hey Elders it's Greg. I decided I want to be baptized tonight at 7. Let me know how I do that. Call me back.” Haha - we were a little stunned. His family had received a lot of opposition. We have continued to teach them and pray with all our souls but we thought it would be some time before they would turn around! Luckily the Lord's time isn’t always ours! We tried all that night to pull together the baptism, but it was too short of a notice. So we will be having his baptism tonight! We are so excited! He said at his interview, “I woke up and decided I need to lead all of my friends and family here! I knew I needed to be the first one.” Greg literally has introduced us to multiple people to teach. He is one of the most charitable men I have ever met. This baptism will be amazing, we just can't wait.

     One last miracle. Monday evening we found out that a Marshalese family we had been teaching had a niece in the home that just turned 8! Wednesday morning we felt inspired to go to her home! They decided that she should be baptized on Sunday! Karleanne’s baptism was so special. I will never forget the smiles upon the faces of this family! They are just the most happy and wonderful people. They call us almost daily just to say "hi" and see how we are. Karleanne skipped into the building and straight to the font. It was a wonderful moment, to see the humility in a young girl's heart to follow Christ.

     My Dear Brother and Sisters, I sit in awe as I recount the week! I just want to run from person to person here and tell them of this glad message, that a loving Father in Heaven has again reached down in love and restored His church to the earth today! That God still loves us today as He has from the beginning of time. He has reached down in love and called a Prophet to the earth, to restore all that has been taught from the beginning.  The fullness of the Gospel is again on the earth! How happy is that knowledge! I love you all so much and thank you for your love and support as I have served here! This is the greatest experience of all my life. God Bless you.  Alofa Atu.

Love,

Elder Aiken

Leave No One Behind!

     Hello Everyone! I hope that you have had an amazing week. This past week has been spectacular!  I am filled with joy as I recount all that happened. I have learned many tender lessons this week, some that I feel will change my life forever.

     I am amazed as I read the scriptures and study the life of Christ. Christ led the perfect example for each of us. I feel blessed to have the scriptures and study His teachings, for in them we learn how to be truly happy now, and to be happy for eternity. 

     Wednesday we were driving down a road to see one of our investigators. As we drove down the road we saw a man on the side of the road struggling to walk. A woman stood with him and tried to help him stand.  As we drove by it seemed he regained strength and was able to walk once again. As we reached the end of the road a feeling came over us that we needed to turn back and we did. As we approached the part of the road where the man once stood we saw him lying in a ditch. We quickly pulled over and ran to his assistance. After some time we were able to get him on his feet and stood on each side of him to balance him on his way home. The walk wasn’t easy, in his drunken state he wasn’t necessarily the nicest person, but we kept walking to get him to a safe place. It was easy to jump to conclusions as we walked along, to be frustrated and annoyed.  Soon after, we got him to a neighbors yard and we talked to the woman who he first stood with.  She said, “He was beaten by a group of men years ago, and struggles with many pains in his body.” It was tough to balance him with a shoulder that had never healed from the beating. He now had to walk with a cane and struggled speaking. Alcohol was to numb the pain and to help him feel whole again.  

     In life it's easy to leave people behind. To judge them for who they are or how they act. Whether it’s a neighbor, someone on the pew behind you in church, or a classmate a seat over. It's easy to be caught up in our lives and hope that they have someone else to comfort them or to be there in their times of need.  

     Today I read in the book of Helaman, chapter 3. The people during this time in the Book of Mormon have experienced a great period of peace and prosperity. Soon, some begin to stuggle and aren’t as blessed as the rest. In verse 33-34 we read “….In the fifty and first year of the reign of judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church­­-not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God-. And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble past of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction.” Now I don’t know that all of the persecution that is spoken here had to deal with beating others. At times we might not see the sadness that we bring to others, when we pass by them or fail to offer a helping hand. But we never seem to forget the sadness or misfortution that is brought our way each day. In those moments we then petition God for help. But do we do our part in helping those that might be in a similar situation? Suffering their own afflictions and pleading with God that someone would be kind enough to not pass them by? 

     I love to read in the New Testament of the example our Savior set, for he never let anyone pass by. For we are all in this together! We are all here preparing to return to the presence of God! Christ knew well that life's walk would not be easy, so he never let the lame, the blind, the leprous, nor the sinner pass by without offering comfort. He always paused to take time to give a helping hand and help the less-fortunate. He was rid of pride.

     My dear Brothers and Sisters, our Savior will never leave our side or leave anyone behind. Nor should WE. I learned a life long lesson on the side of 8^th avenue that I will never forget. Never leave anyone behind.  “…unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.” 2 Nephi 31:16. And why shall we follow the example of Christ? “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all energy of heart, that we may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that we may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.” Christ has set the example of offering help to all those that stand in need. Oh how we will be blessed by following that example. There truly is happiness in purity! As we follow Christ we will become pure! How true that statement is. 

     This past week we have focused on re-dedicating ourselves to Christ! It has been one of the most powerful weeks of my mission. The spirit of the Lord has burned within us, it seems that at every turn we have been prompted to find those ready for the restored truth! We had 4 families come to church on Sunday, I will update you next week! Their lives are being changed by the goodness of the Gospel. I just wish to scream for joy as they begin to feel true happiness and understanding of Gods plan for them!  I have a firm testimony that Jesus is the Christ! The example and rock we can all build our lives upon! For by following His example, we can be made pure! We can prepare to stand before God. And we can learn and gain the attributes that will assist us all of eternity.  Each day and each moment is a blessing from the Lord, a chance to learn a lesson that will be with us forever. How blessed we are to have come to this earth. I love you all! God Bless You!!

Love,

Elder Aiken

Temple blessings!

     My dear friends and family! Hello! I hope that all is well and that you had a great and spiritual week. This past week was filled with rich blessings. I am excited at the work that is going forth! There were many wonderful and great experiences over the past week. I time of learning and reflecting on the Lord's plan and path for each of us.

     Friday I had the marvelous experience of going through the temple with Natalie, a convert from last year. There are few experiences that I will ever cherish as much as I did when I walked in the room and saw her begin to cry. To see her excitement and joy was overwhelming. As I sat in the temple pondering this experience, I couldn’t help but come do a deep understanding of the temple, and its significance in our lives. In the temple we make special covenants with God that prepare us to return in His presence. There we understand what we need to do in this life, to be with our families forever. In this ever tumultuous world there is no greater place to go and receive comfort and guidance from the Lord. As we walked into the Celestial Room in the temple, I asked her how it was. She said “I don’t know, it just feels like I have been here before!” Oh how sweet the spirit that is in the House of the Lord. A place where we can seek refuge and truly feel like we have come “home”. It's hard to find time in our busy lives to attend the temple often, but a priority it must become. I know that the blessings that come from temple attendance effect each of us personally, but our whole families. I know that when my family attends the temple, I can feel of its blessings. 

     This weekend I have pondered my friend's journey to the temple. Tears filled my eyes on Sunday as I recalled in the chapel, the night that we found Natalie. We had parked the car on the side of a busy road because the area we had planned to tract just didn’t feel right. As we bowed our heads, a burning in my heart came over me that I had never felt before, and a voice as from Heaven came unto me saying, “Clark St.” I was new to the area, and hadn’t heard of it before. I looked to my companion and checked for reassurance that the street existed. He affirmed that it did, and we ran off to the street. Soon after we knocked on her door. She realized in her life that she needed more! She needed a foundation for her and her family. It’s a powerful thing, just that simple statement. That she “felt that she needed more in her life.” God in His wisdom has given each of us from birth the Light of Christ. The spirit that teaches us right from wrong. Each and everyday that spirit will guide us to things that we need to change in our own lives. The hardest thing for us to do, is accept those promptings. Natalie followed those promptings that day, and the blessings of Heaven have since flown into her life! She was just called to serve in the Primary Presidency! Her son will be receiving the Priesthood in October, and I plan to ordain him to the office of a Deacon on my way home. 

     My dear Brothers and Sisters, following the promptings of the spirit is of great importance in our lives. This life is about being taught through earthly experiences how to refine ourselves in to the gem that God would have us be. He has a plan and knows what we need to change to be all that we can be! I testify that through Christ we can all make the changes necessary to be “closer to God” and have “more of a foundation in our lives” as Natalie was searching for. Great things happen when we follow those promptings. All God wants is for us to be happy and to enjoy this life! Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and living by its teaching, happiness flows! Lives change. Generations are changed forever. The impact of its blessings flow to all, as we just simply follow, and believe. Just believe.

     This past week has been simply miraculous! The work is rolling forward. This week we met a woman named Kaylee! She has truly been through some of life's greatest challenges. She didn’t grow up in a religious home or a home that you ever felt loved in. In her 20's she met a man that she thought was the man of her dreams, but soon after their baby was just a few months old, he began to abuse her. Years later she began to date another man, and when he found out she was pregnant, he ran away from the situation! Now, home alone, with a two week old baby we knocked on her door. Tears filled our eyes as she shared her life's experience and how she now was fighting to feed the family. This Sunday she came with us to church! Last night members of the congregation had them over for dinner! To see the smiles on her face and her young daughter was just amazing! The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. We are never alone in God's plan. He hears us, and watches over us! Kaylee explained that she has always been in search for the truth, and in search of a church that didn’t have a man preach from the Bible, twisted scriptures that came from his own knowledge. I sense and feel strongly that the world, although they may be afraid to question, are truly searching for the truth! How blessed we are to have the knowledge that God has again restored the fullness of the truth to the earth.

     I am humbled this week and amazed at God's goodness and mercy! As we strive to know Him and learn of Him, God's spirit will strive to be with us! It will guide us, and help us change the little things in our lives, to bring our homes more joy! I love you all! HAVE A GREAT AND HAPPY WEEK!

Love,

Elder Aiken

May 21, 2012

     Gooood Morning Everyone! I hope that all is well and that you have had a fabulous week.  

     My dear brothers and sisters! This week has been truly powerful and uplifting! I have come to know with deep assurance the plan that God has for us is perfect and reassuring. This week was covered with miracles, miracles from a Father in Heaven who loves his children and dearly wishes for their return into His spiritual presence. 

     A few weeks ago we received a referral from the Spanish sister missionaries. We had been trying for many days to come in contact with this woman but never had any luck. Friday evening as we were running around the complex we were in, there was a woman sitting on the stairs. She introduced herself as Diane. My heart yearned for her happiness as I spoke with her. Her faced showed worry and shared a sense of longing for something more. She said, “I just moved in, I have been in addiction programs and need to change my life. I actually have two children that were baptized into your church, I really like what they have shared.” Quickly I realized this was the woman we had been looking for during the past few weeks. She talked about how sad and alone she was and how horrible she felt with the mistakes she had made.  We had a powerful discussion with Diane, and she said how dearly she desired to come to church! We can't wait for her to come to church in the coming weeks. How amazing it is to know, that GOD  can heal her! That she can be free from her past and that He turned us down a different path to see her that day! 

     Soon after, we walked up a stairwell to talk to a young man that was smoking on the stairs above. The door to the apartment he was sitting away from was full of people, seemingly lost looking for so much more. As each one would walk down the stairs with beer in their hands, they would hide it behind their backs and walk shamefully past.  Cigarettes were snuffed out. Corrupt language ceased. It saddened me to realize that each of these people were about my age. Living rioutous lives and deep down they wanted to change. As we talked to Shane on the stairs he said, “I need to change my life, I know what I am doing is wrong.” For days I have pondered about these two experiences. I couldn’t blame those young people for the ways they were acting, we knew some of the homes that they came from and probably didn’t know different. The powerful observation? Each of them knew the way they were living was wrong, whether they were taught it or not. I reflect on a hymn titled “O My Father”. It goes like this:

“O my Father thou that dwellest in the high and glorious place, When shall I regain thy presence and again behold thy face? In thy holy habitation, did my spirit once reside? In my first primeval childhood was I nurtured by thy side? For a wise and glorious purpose Thou has placed me here on earth and withheld the recollection of my former friends and birth; Yet oftimes a secret something whispered, ‘You’re a stranger here,’ and I felt that I had wondered from a more exalted sphere.”

     Although many individuals we meet each day, have wondered far from the true path to happiness, they know that God lives! We have that devine knowledge in each of us. I testify to you that God truly does love us. I have felt His love often when I didn’t deserve it myself! God is our loving Father in Heaven! He is looking out for each of us! As we strive to gain greater faith and hope, we can each feel greater of His guidance in our lives. For God yearns to be with us. I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Aiken

Happy Mother's Day!

Hello my dear friends and family!  I am truly humbled and in awe of this week. My heart and soul burn with a desire to share and spread this great gospel! This was another week of seeing and experiencing the Lords hand of miracles! I testify that He is ever present in our lives. As we live pure and holy lives, we can draw nearer to God each and everyday!

Yesterday was Mothers Day and it was a rich blessing to speak to the family, and my brother Tanner for the last time before he heads out on his mission in July! I am so excited for him, he will change the world.

 I hope all of you mothers had a great Mothers Day, it was a powerful day for me! It's amazing to see families from all walks of life, those we teach and those we meet, and the impact of a loving mother in their lives! 

Yesterday in Sacrament Meeting I felt that I was going to bear my testimony. It wasn't testimony meeting so I thought it was quite odd. Sure enough I got a text from a member of the Bishopric off the stand, “You will bear your testimony in five minutes.” I was asked to share my love for my mother, and my testimony of the gospel. As I sat in that meeting an experience came to mind that I wish to share. It was in the middle of winter last year and I was serving in the Tiger Mountain Ward. My companion and I had biked up a steep mountain hill for a few miles, to reach a few homes that stood at the crest of a mountain, overlooking the valley. On the way down, my bikes brakes had worn completely through. By the time I noticed I was headed down the mountain at full speed. I hit a big turn, I was leaning as far to the side as I could, but to no avail, I was headed straight for a cliff. I pleaded with God that he would spare my life, or just spare me from missing a few of the trees on the way down. As I headed toward the edge, all of the sudden I felt a force carry me to the center of that road, slow me down, and guide me to the bottom. The following Monday my mother shared with me the following account. “Elder Aiken, I had the oddest experience. I was home from work on Wednesday, and was resting on the couch. I heard a voice yell "Mom!" I got up and looked around and couldn’t see any of the boys, thinking one of the boys might have come home early from school. I again sat down, and again heard a little louder "Mom!" But there was no one there. I then felt impressed to kneel and pray for you and your safety.” My dear Brothers and Sisters, that time I know my life was spared, there could have been no way to survive such a fall. Mothers seem to have an extra sensitivity to the spirit, and for that I am eternally grateful. Grateful for a righteous mother listening to the spirit. There is a power in a mother's prayer. This morning we received a call that a woman needed a blessing in the local hospital. We rushed over and gave this woman a blessing, while she was in labor! You woman are wonderful, and will forever pray for you and the pain you endure! Mothers are great.

        Two weeks ago we were running from person to person in one of our apartment complexes, and ran to talk to a man taking out the garbage. He said “I am busy. We are just moving in, but stop by later if you want.” This week we showed up for our appointment, and we took him on a church tour. Greg said, “Let me tell you why I have showed up here at the church today. I am here to investigate your church. I have heard great things about this church. I was in a different religion for many years but no longer find that to be true. I want to be a Christian. I want to be the example for my family, my wife, my kids ,and my grandkids. I am struggling right now and want to find the truth.” We had such a powerful lesson with this man, I will never forget the feeling in that chapel. As he entered he said, “I feel clean, I want to feel clean in my life!” 

         Is there a greater blessing our dear Father has given us? Our brothers and sisters are perishing in unbelief and pain all around us. Are we not all from the same Father? Might we once have befriended these souls prior to entering this earthly existence? Do we not owe all to that God who gave us life? We can lend a helping hand to that Shepherd who is looking for the “ninety and nine” who cries over them and yearns for their joy. Each of us, prior coming to the earth, were spirits with God! We learned and grew. In that place we were only able to grow to a certain extent and had to leave our Fathers presence, to be able to gain experience. After the fall of Adam and Eve, we became an “enemy to God” and “we will be forever and ever, unless we yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord…” 

         We are here to put off “the natural man”!! We are here to follow the whisperings of the spirit and change our lives so that we might be purified through the Atonement of Christ. In that true happiness lies. In that will we be prepared to meet God and receive the rich blessings he has in store for the righteous. Greg is the example of this! He has realized in his life that he needs to change and that he wants to change. A few days later we went back to teach Greg.  As we entered I asked how he was and if he had been busy. He replied, “yes I have been pretty busy! I have been recruiting people for you to teach. You have an appointment with my neighbor on Monday at 7:30, here is the address.” Everytime we go by he seems to have more souls for us to teach.

         This leads me to the topic I wish to end on today. The importance of spreading this glad gospel. Here in my new area there are MANY people from the Islands. Such faithful people. I have yet to meet one of them that is Atheist. They are a people filled with love and void of doubts. I have pondered for the past few weeks of these people and their willingness to share the gospel. My eyes water as I look at how inept I am, how weak I am. These people love without end and will serve to no end. 

         My dear friends and family the world needs us to rise up. God needs us to rise up! We need to rise up and fight off the natural man! For in this time of turmoil and grief we must not falter, rather be pillars of righteousness and truth. All morals are decaying! Satan and his challenges are rampant. How we must help our Brothers and Sisters come to know God's plan for them! The worlds “path” looks enticing and fun! But it will fail them, and they will “wander, hungry, and helpless, and cold..”! We must be like Moroni during a similar time in his day, in which he raised this title of liberty, “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, our peace, our wives, and our children.” Which he then fastened to a pole and waved to all the world. It's easy for our mouths to proclaim that we love this Gospel, and that we love God. But do our hearts turn to our Father, and yearn to answer his call to rescue His sheep? I know that we can all make a great change in this decaying world. We can bring joy and happiness to these souls! We have nothing to fear! God is with us and before us. This is the truth. I testify to each of you that God's love for us is ever reaching. It knows no bounds! He lives and has sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us when we fall short. This is the Lord's work, for He watches us by night and cries for us to come home. I love you all! HAVE A GREAT WEEK!      

Love,

Elder Aiken      

So Busy!

     Hello Everyone!!! Today we are preparing for Elder Golden of the Seventy and his mission tour! I don't have much time to write today, as we still have a lot to do before the day is out. I have never been this busy in all my life!!! I will have a lot to report on next week! 
     I humbly testify that Jesus Christ lives. The Church of Jesus Christ is alive and well! A newspaper in Tacoma reported this past week, in the State of Washington from the year 2000 until now, ecclesiastical churches have not grown in any dimension. However, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints has grown 50% over the same time period! This is a remarkable work. The work is rolling forward! 
     Elder Golden stated last night at a fireside, "The Church has reached a point of no return!" He stated, "The church is not just growing in numbers but in righteousness." Brothers and Sisters the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored on this very earth today. It is here to bring us joy and to enrich our lives. Oh how blessed we are. I know that the message we declare is true! I know it from the very depths of my soul! I pray the Lord be with you. I love you all. I will talk to you soon!

Love,

Elder Aiken

Charity Never Faileth!

Back with Elder Lindeman!

     My dear friends and family! It’s a pleasure to write to you today. My heart is full and my feelings are tender today, as I have been transferred.  I never thought I could have such a capacity to love the people of Issaquah. They are eternal friends. That city captured my heart, and I can't wait to return. My life was changed forever there, and I will never be the same man. The Lord blessed me deeply by allowing me to stay there for so long. I will truly miss those people, a part of my heart will forever remain there. I am SO excited for the upcoming transfer! I have been transferred to the Federal Way Stake, the only other place I've been. I guess it’s the Lords plan for me to return over and over again! Elder Lindeman is again my companion, we will be serving as the Zone Leaders here. I guess it’s the Lords plan for me to return to old companions over again as well! It's great and I love it. This will be a truly wonderful adventure.

     Yesterday as I said goodbye to some of those who were recently baptized, my heart was filled with joy! It's absolutely amazing to see the mountains they have climbed and been able to overcome. We taught Vickie on Friday and to feel of her spirit was just overwhelming. Vickie is the essence of giving, and giving all. As we showed up to her house, she had containers of food all over the counters. I asked what they were all for, and she replied, “I talked to Deanna today, she fell down and can't cook for herself (Deanna is an investigator we are teaching), so made a bunch of food she can heat up in the microwave, she has no one to cook for her!” She had probably ten meals lining the counter tops all ready to take to a woman in need. She then brought out some pajama pants and asked our opinon she said, “I met a man at the foodbank (she volunteers there a few times a week) and a man came in with diseased legs that make them swell immensely, so I got him these pajamas so he has clothes to wear that will fit, do you think these would fit?” I stood in awe as she shared her plans for the coming week, and the people she planned on helping. Vickie, a widow with very little income, spends every waking moment in the service of others. I will never forget her baptism. We asked her on Friday what baptism did for her. She said, “I have never been happier in all my life. As I came out of the water it was like this big weight lifted off of me. I used to be a grouchy old grandma, but now I am as happy as I could be.” She calls us MULTIPLE times a week with friends she wants us to teach and people she wants to bring to church. She is a pioneer to me, paving the way to bring happiness to every soul she meets. These people forever have a place in my heart. I will miss that great place of Issaquah. It’s the best!

     Vickie shared a few things with us that have inspired me ever since. I realized the deeply powerful influence that the Holy Ghost can have apon us. This life is personally tailored to us, with its many valleys and hills. Each meant to refine us in their own way. Those trials come whether we like them or not, but we can choose how we fair them. As we live our lives to be directed and comforted by the spirit, we can be lead through each trial. Coming through the other side a little more “polished”. 

     God, because He is truly is our loving Father in Heaven, has given us a special gift to help us through this “refining process” here on earth. The gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the rope that we can hold steadfastly to along this journey, with Christ at the lead. As long as we stay true to the path, and allow the spirit to be with us, all will be well! God's spirit will be with us to guide us and direct us along the way. I am touched and amazed at God's plan for us. All He wants is our happiness. All he asks is for us to follow Him, and He will lead us home. I testify today that God lives. We must all live our lives to receive the rich blessings of the Holy Ghost. God will never leave us alone, no not ever. I testify that the trials in life do end! Just hold strong and stay true. Remember that there are people all around us struggling just the same. It's our choice whether we lend a helping hand, or let them travel alone. Joy flows in our lives by serving others, just as Vickie has shown me. 

     I love you all! Be safe, make a change in the life of your neighbors this week!

Love,

Elder Aiken