Monday, September 26, 2016

One month mark!

So this week marks my one month here in the Philippines! It has gone by so fast, it’s absolutely crazy! I love it here. I don’t have too much time, but I want to say that Heavenly Father is our father and that he listens to you. He watches over you always even when you don’t think he does. The week has been filled with so many joyous moments and also some sad ones. So Donna, who is on track to baptism on Oct.15, moved apartments because of problems in her life. So, this meant that we couldn’t teach her anymore because she is out of our boundaries. I cannot tell you how extremely sad this was for me. We met a 16 year old girl with such a readiness to receive the gospel. I prayed so much on Sunday night for her because she wasn’t answering our phone calls or texts, but a day later, she texted us saying she wants us to teach her, and I cannot tell you how happy I was to hear that. That night we taught her the Plan of Salvation and the whole lesson was filled with the Spirit. It was truly amazing to see how happy she was. I know that Heavenly Father listens to us, and in his own time, he will bless us. I know that Christ lives, that he is Our Savior and Redeemer and that he loves us more than we know. I know as we all have trials in our lives, if you kneel and pray, you will be blessed. I know that for a fact. I love this work, I know why Im here in the Philippines and I know that this Gospel is true. I also know through relying on Christ and putting our faith in him, we will able to feel his love in the hardest times.

Love,

Elder Aguiar




Monday, September 19, 2016

Hey Joe

Hey Joe! I have heard this so many times this week! Haha. Anyway, this week has been a super busy long week. We have been very busy with our first Zone Conference and teaching a lot and preparing our investigators for baptism. Something that has made this transfer extra hard is that we have 4 people in our apartment. Each companionship works on opposite sides of the city where we are in Tayuman. Tayuman A and Tayuman B. Elder Radin and I are over Tayman B and Elder Talaboc and Elder Battaraw are over Tayuman A. But what had happened is Elder Battaraw went back to his original mission in India, so the three of us are all companions now and covering the whole area which is just more difficult. It's not that bad but it makes the work we are doing much more difficult. But anyway, we got to find and teach a ton this week! We meet with Boy Cardenas, and taught him the first lesson. He said that he wants to believe our message is true but he isn't sure yet. Towards the end our lesson, I went to give him a Book of Mormon and he said to me ''I'm sorry but I cant take this because I have no money." I thought, what? Why would we make anyone pay for the word of God? I then told him "No, the book is completely free.  It's all yours and you can read it." He said back to me "Really??" I said yes, and he had the biggest smile on his face. It was so glorious to see that and to see the joy that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings to others. I know that this work is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives and is our Redeemer in this Latter-Day. I know without any doubt that my Father in Heaven loves me more than I can ever know, and that makes me so amazingly happy. The joy we can receive from this true gospel is true and unlimited. I know sometimes we may go through trials that try our faith, but as we turn to God he will help us because we will never receive any burden we cannot bear. I love Heavenly Father and Christ with all my heart, I know that they know me personally, and I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES.​​​​​​​​
 
Love,
Elder Aguiar




Monday, September 12, 2016

Jingle Bells

So I think I forgot to say that it's CHRISTMAS HERE! Christmas starts in the Philippines the first week of September for some reason, but it's great haha! I am already hearing Christmas music and it's super funny.  

This week... let's just say it has been... eventful... It is the rainy season here but it hasn't rained in a while so its super hot... And I've been called alot of "friendly" names this week like, "Hey Joe" and "Amerikano".  I have also been hit on by some guys.... that look like girls... sooo... it's been definitely a new experience I could say. Also, some Filipinos say I look like Elaina from Vampire Diaries. I have no idea who that is, but someone will have to tell me if I do or not. I've also seen chicken fights, spider fights, dog fights and tons and tons of cats and dogs. There are thousands of dogs and cats here that just roam around! It's super crazy. But, here in the Philippines are the kindest people I have ever met. Also my thoughts revert back to John Bytheway's talk on "What I Wish I Would've Known Before My Mission". He served in Baguio  which is northen Philippines. He said "It humbles me to tears" and that's exactly how I feel. The people here live in some of the most humbling conditions and will cook food or go and buy food with the few pesos they have so they can feed you. These people are honestly amazing and I feel Heavenly Fathers love for each of them. 


On a less serious note, I have found out that there is NO real cheese in the Philippines. I was talking to my companion about string cheese and he had no idea what I was talking about!! Haha! I have also learned that Filipinos here love mayo... I was eating with Elder Radin (my companion from Bagiuo) and he was literally squirting it in his mouth!!! He laughed because he saw how gross I thought it was! Also, we have an investigator that makes HOME MADE PEANUT BUTTER!! Its sooooooo good. It's amazing.  I also got my first haircut here! It was from a member that owns a barbershop and IT WAS THE BEST HAIRCUT I HAVE EVER HAD. Plus, it was only 30 pesos which is like 60 cents. The last crazy thing that happened is that we were coming home from church and we took a trike home.  We FIT 7 GROWN PEOPLE INSIDE IT! Please look up a picture of a Filipino trike on the internet and then picture 7 people on it!  Haha!  It was great!

I want you to know that I know this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. I know that God is our loving Father in Heaven and that he knows each of us and loves us more than we can comprehend. I know sometimes things may be difficult but through prayer we can return to the path of Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of god and through it you can feel the Holy Spirit of God and by that you can know it's truthfulness. I know that through faith in Jesus Christ we can do anything and I know that Christ lives and died for us so we can return to our Heavenly Father once again.

Love, 
Elder Aguiar


Sunday, September 4, 2016

12 days in the "real world"!

SO... this week has been absoultely amazing and the best one yet! Let me start by saying I love being a missionary and I love the Philippines. I dont have tons of time today so it will just be a short email. Donna and CJ are progressing so that is super super great. Through the week we have 6 total baptismal dates. Please pray for them during the week, that they will be able to keep their desires burning! Let me say that opening a new area is tons of work. Basically prosyleting all day tp find new people and encouraging people of the ward to try to get to know them. But I'm grateful to be an instument in the hands of our Lord and Savior. I'm grateful for the people of the Philippines and how humble and kind they are. I have had a great warm welcome from everyone here. The kids especially are amazing and super funny! They always teach me new things and come out in masses to get a high five! They are all so sweet. I'm thankful to be in Taytay and thankful to be able to feel the love of the Lord as I go throughout the day. I love this gospel with all my heart. I know that this church is the Restored Church of the Everlasting Gospel of Christ and that He is the head of it. I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, that when you read it you CAN feel God's love and receive revelation. I know that Christ lives and loves all of us. I know we are Heavenly Father's children and he wants us to return to Him and through the Gospel of Christ we can do so. 

Love,
Elder Aguiar
Tayuman!