October 24, 2011

     GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!  I hope that all is well and that everyone is safe. We had an amazing week of miracles.  I am so grateful for it!  The Lord is always preparing people to accept the restored gospel!  He just never gives up. 

     Chapter 26 of 2^nd Nephi in the Book of Mormon highlights this for me, it touched my heart as I read it this morning.  26:24  He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.  26:25  Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price. 

     That is the simple promise and quest of our Savior.  He wants and pleads for all of us to come unto Him, He wants to bless us as we walk forward in faith and following his teachings.  His teachings ARE happiness.  NO other equation will lead to true and everlasting happiness.  It's amazing to see His hand guide us to those who are looking for that peace and comfort in their lives!  On Wednesday we tracted into a woman named Lisa.  She and her husband are school teachers and have three beautiful kids.  She said they were busy but could we please come back on Friday!  So on Friday we went back with a couple in our ward.  It was the most amazing lesson of my mission.  They are such a wonderful family. When we sat down Lisa said, “Let me tell you why you are here.  As you know my husband and I are both school teachers.  Every school year we always come home and talk about the students that impress us and what they have in common. Without fail, two weeks later we always find out they are Mormon. Every time!  They are so respectful and happy, it's just amazing.  And then this past week I started to see the Mormon.org ads, the families had that same peculiar smile to them.  So when you knocked on my door, I thought I have to learn more!”  All her life she had been surrounded by amazing Mormon families that have been preparing her for the restored gospel.  As we sat down we read out of the Book of Mormon, about Christ in Alma chapter 7.  As she read she looked up at us and said “ I have a frog in my throat, this book has a tangible power!  I understand why you people are so dedicated!”  The lesson was so spiritual, the commonalites between the couple we brought with us and her was simply amazing. 

       I know that God lives. WE ARE SO EXCITED! This family is just amazing, and we can't wait for them to come to church.  She is truly searching to draw closer to Christ and to understand Him.  There becomes a point in all of our lives where we stop looking for things of naught and begin looking for things that matter most.  One of my favorite scriptures is in 2 Nephi Chapter 9 verse 51: Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy.  Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. Money, fame, or our material possesions will perish as we leave this earth. Those things will never satisfy.  Family, charity, and our knowledge are things things that will come with us in the eternities.  I often ask myself that simple question, will the things I am focused on come with me into the eternities?  Without the restored gospel we will always be looking for more.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is what satisfies our soul.

       I love you all!  This week was a tremendous blessing in my life!  It's great to see the hand of God.  He loves us and knows us all!  As we seek the things that matter most, and begin to gain charity in our lives, we are filled with the Spirit of God and we begin to feel satisified.  I am so grateful for this time here.  What a blessing and a great growing time.  Have a safe week!

Love,

Elder Aiken

Fall in Issaquah!

     Goood morning everyone! This has been an absolutely wonderful week!  The Lord has blessed us richly with great experiences that will guide us all our lives!  I love this oppurtunity to serve.  It has now been over a year since I left home.  Truly my heart aches.  Two weeks ago when I began writing home I was just hit with tears. Why does the time have to go so fast? You can never fully understand how amazing it is to become so close with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I just will never be able to explain the gratitude I have to have served this time. 

     I can't say the past year has been easy, but I am the man I am because of it. There have been so many times I didn’t know if I could make it.  I remember back in February when I was taken to the hospital for dehydration, I struggled with odd headaches for months following.  A few months later when I wrecked my bike in a ditch, a nerve became pinched in my neck.  Ya, it still pops and can at time be very painful, but you know what?  I have been comforted and guided every step.  I know that God assigns the very angels of Heaven to be with us and carry us through.  I have a firm and everlasting hope that they live and love us!  

     I will always remember these days as the days when I came to understand their supreme love for each of us.  Christ lives and HE LOVES US ALL and knows us personally.  The time here has been too wonderful and so life changing.  I wish it would slow down, it's hard to take it all in. 

     The past week has been filled with neat experiences.  At the beginning of the week we met with a companionship that had been struggling a bit to get along.  We gave one of the Elders a priesthood blessing.  I will never forget that blessing as long I live. In the blessing he was told that in the premortal existence he had chosen to be this Elders companion, and he had chosen to change his life, to finally push away pride and be the first one to befriend him.  As I gave him a blessing I felt the power of God and the tender knowledge of a pre-earth life, where we were so close to God.  God knows us!  He truly does and I will never be able to deny that.  That same night I went tracting with that missionary.  As we were knocking doors in a neighborhood I kept getting this prompting that we should go to a specific complex in their area! As we kept walking that prompting wouldn’t leave. We took a moment and prayed and we both felt strongly we should go.  As we drove there another distinct prompting kept coming in my mind to go to building 27.  It was amazing.  The first door we knock on we found an amazing Chinese man looking for the gospel. That touched our hearts simply forever!  I will never forget that day.         

     There was one more experience that meant the most to me from the past week.  Often we compare God's love for us, to the spiritual and temporal blessings we receive. I have often fallen into that trap. We lose faith, we lose hope, and we get all misdirected when things go wrong, wondering what we did to deserve it?  Why would God do this to me?  The past week I had allowed that thought to enter my mind.  Why won't these headaches go away?  Why me and why now?  The next day we went to a special missionary meeting to talk about certain areas in the mission and how we find people.  For the first thirty minutes our mission president went off about enduring trials and understanding blessings.  Most were confused, but for me, it was literally revelation from heaven from an inspired man. President Larkin read Hebrews 11.  But I want to focus on just a few scriptures.  8 - By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.  9 - By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 - For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and make is God.  Abraham left his precious place, where he could have lived forever comfortably, to his land of promise, seeking for Zion.  Instead though he spent his life dwelling in tents, where he was never able to see his promises fulfilled! They were realized later after he was gone!  Abraham lived by faith, he never gave up, he never asked why!  He went forward in faith, seeking zion!  It's easy often to assume that the successful and learned are blessed because of that righteousness!!!  All that God seeks from us is to be full of charity and faith.  That’s truly all that matters.  I have come to love that section of scripture where we can learn so much from the faithful before us, who had faith unwavering and were purified of all ungodliness, being full of charity!! 

     I love this time here.  I love you all!  Mormon.org is just storming Seattle! The campaign is changing everything! We are praying  and seeking to baptize three more souls this month. We pray that God will lead us to them! I love you all have a great week!!!!

Sweet and VERY short!

     GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!  I hope that all is well whereever you are. 
     This past week has been a wonderful one. I just love it here!  My time is short to write today! So this will be short!  All is well here!  God continues to bless us!  It's simply amazing the power of prayer and Gods hand in ALL things!  I TRULY LOVE THIS WORK AND ALL I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH!  
     I will have a great update next week!  Remember to always look up and live each day in gratitude!!
Love,
Elder Aiken


p.s. Thursday is "hump day" - my one year mark!  Can't believe it's here already - SO much to do!

Transfer/Conference weekend!

     Hello my dear family and friends. I love you all so much. What a wonderful week it has been. This was transfer week, and I'm so happy that I'm staying here in Issaquah!  There are few things that touch my heart more than from hearing from the Lord's chosen servants, our beloved Prophet and Apostles. The words that they speak touched my heart and soul and I am forever grateful. 

     There were many things that touched my heart but there were two talks that I loved and the two things I would like to share today.  
     Elder Dallin H. Oaks talked a lot about our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. That talk to me was the most touching part of conference. Too often in this crazy world we forget the importance and significance of Christ.  Imagine the guilt that we would all carry, the hopelessness we would feel, and the down right fear we would all hold without Him.  It's amazing to imagine a God that loves us dearly enough to send his Son Jesus Christ to die for us and carry all of our burdens. The Atonement is real and so powerful. I must say that I am forever grateful for the Atonement in my life and the healing it has brought me.  It's amazing the number of times I have felt the Savior's loving hand lift me up in time of need. 
     I remember so many times being sick and exhausted and wondering if I could walk another step and a rush of relief would come over me, taking that from me to allow me to continue onward!  I loved this quote from Elder Oaks said, “He is our Creator. He is the Light of the World. He is our Savior from sin and death. This is the most important knowledge on earth, and you can know this for yourself.”  And we all can!  We all can have this wonderful knowledge, but we must act.  As in all things, this first takes our effort!  We must have faith enough to reach out to Him and truly get to know Him. 
     The other talk that really touched my heart was the talk from Elder Scott on the scriptures.  It took until my mission to truly understand the power they contain. I have yet to be able to open up the scriptures and not feel an overwhelming feeling of peace, and the spirit of God come over me. The pages are waiting for all of us to open, to ponder and read!  Every person that has been baptized quickly, for the most part, wanted to be baptized right away because of the feeling they got as they prayed about that book!  That’s why the church grows the way it does!  The Book of Mormon is tangible evidence of Christ's restored church!  Elder Scott said, “The scriptures provide the strength of authority to our declarations when they are cited correctly. They can become stalwart friends that are not limited by geography or calendar. They are always available when needed.  Their use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost.  Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world.” And that is so true!  We must draw near unto them and they will draw near unto us and guide us all our lives.

Skylar's baptism!

         Skylar was baptized this weekend.  I will never forget that day!  The spirit in that baptism was different than anything that I have ever experienced, it was as if the very angels of heaven sat there with us that day.  Skylar is from an inactive family, and they all came!  God testified to them and us all that He lives and loves us all, no matter what.  I love this gospel and what it has done for Skylar. The young women all sang to her and welcomed her to the ward.  God has sent so many valiant people into this church. This week was a touching one, I love this work, and this life. I love you all so much.


Elder Aiken

Charity Never Faileth!

       Good morning everyone!  It's been another great week here in the great city of Issaquah!  I just truly love it here!  Fall is here, and it's just beautiful.  I hope that all is well, and you are all safe.  

     We have been working with Sky to prepare her for her baptism on Saturday.  We are so excited for her!  The most amazing aspect of a mission is watching the lives of those we teach, change!  They become truly happy, filled with the Light of Christ and they begin to see that they can achieve their goals and their dreams!  That’s what I love about the gospel, it's all about hope!  Hope and a sure knowledge that God lives, He loves us, and will carry us all along our way! What greater knowledge can there be? 

     This past week we went to visit one of our recent converts Natalie.  She is just blooming in the gospel and loving it so much! We sat and talked with her about the Book of Mormon and how we can make it a part of our lives.  She said, “I just love that book, I have to read it every morning and night!  It's just something I can't put down!  I need more and more of it!”  When she said that I was so happy.  I think often we overlook the importance of the Book of Mormon!  A book, written for us, specifically in our day to lead and guide us as individuals, sons and daughters, and parents!  It’s the guide and compass to our lives!  What a blessing it is to be able to have that, it's amazing to think of the sacrifce that occurred for us to receive that devine book!  I stand with the Prophets of today and the Prophets of old and declare that I know that book to be true.  As we read it, ponder it, and apply it in our lives we cannot fail!  It’s a solid foundation upon which we can draw closer to our Savior.  Over the past month especially I have been so drawn to that Book.  Every morning we read it, our apartment is filled with the Spirit of the Lord.  It’s a true blessing.  
      One more experience that really touched my life, was with another recent convert!  She began to cry when we talked with her, and said, “As you know I lost my job, we are struggling financially. I just received a 100 dollar check from an anonymous person in the ward!  And it's what I need to support my family this month.”  To me that’s what this gospel is about!  That’s what Christ wants us to do!  Serve and support each other!  We all are so blessed with opportunities to give and support our Father in Heaven in uplifting those around us!  I am so grateful for this church!  I LOVE IT!  And hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Elder Aiken

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

How Firm a Foundation!

     Hello everyone!!  I hope you have all had a great week like we have here in Issaquah.  Another week full of mostly sun, what a blessing!  Fall is coming around the corner and the beauty of Washington is remarkable. 

     This week, God has led us to many souls in search of the Gospel, it's just fascinating to see the hand of God.  Months ago we received a referral from Mormon.org from a young woman named Megan.  She is a young lady that had asked to receive a Book of Mormon.  A few weeks ago we were finally able to get in and teach her!  Last week we came back after she received a Book of Mormon and she just began to cry.  She said “I have always felt this my whole in my life, I have always wanted to draw closer to God.  I knelt down and God told me that the Book of Mormon was true! I want this so badly.”  She was really scared because her parents had expressed that it might not be something she could do.  But this past week her parents gave her permission to be baptized!  She has already read over half of the Book of Mormon, and she can't put it down.  She seems to be teaching us more than we are teaching her!  It's just amazing, the promise given in the Book of Mormon, its real!  I know it with all my heart. God promises us that if we read that book and ask with a sincere heart, he will tell us if its true!  He never fails on that promise.  Megan's life is changing before our eyes, she is finally seeing the truth and the importance of drawing closer to God.  Her faith is building and life is ever changing.  

     This weekend we will be baptizing Lisa.  She is such a tender spirit.  Lisa is a single mom that has had a bit of a hard life!  I knocked on her door about 9 months ago now, and a few weeks ago she just showed up at church and has been coming with a friend ever since.  There is a hymn that we sung this week in church that touched my soul.  It’s the hymn “How Firm a Foundation” and the line that I love reads:  “In every condition in sickness, In health, In povertys vale or abounding in wealth, at home or abroad, on the land or the sea, As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand, as thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.” I have seen the same pattern over and over again, that God will always be there despite our demands.  No matter where we are in life He loves us and wants us to enter His fold and return to live with Him again.  The calling to be a missionary is simply the greatest we can receive, to preach that God has restored a way to return and live with Him as families forever!  It’s a true blessing from heaven.

     The past week I think I have met half of the Atheists that have ever lived!  My mind has been caught up in wondering how I do know that God does live.  And it's simple.  We must act and not be acted upon.  We must search for God, if He simply revealed Himself to all of us without any effort, this life would have been pointless.  We wouldn’t grow!  But that’s this journey, we are here to prepare to meet God!  As we do so, God has shown me many experiences and I have seen His unchanging hand lift me from so many things.  I love the fact that I do know that God lives!  And He will reveal Himself to us and guide us all our lives!  I love you all. I hope you stay safe and know that you are loved.

Love, 

Elder Aiken