Monday, October 31, 2016

Rice and Rain


So this week has been super amazing. On Tuesday Elder Reyes and I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with the AP's in our area. I was kind of nervous at first because I'm still getting used to how big our area is, but it went so very well. We got to find new people and I got to learn from the AP's. They taught me a lot and I'm glad to be in the area I'm in!


This week, I want to say that I set a record with our kabahays (roomates). We had a rice eating competition and let's just say that I was very hungry that day. I had 11 cups of rice and some chicken on the side. It was pretty funny to see everyone looking in disbelief haha! Aside from eating cups and cups of rice, I'm losing tons and tons of weight. I cant keep any weight on whatsoever here. I'm going today to get some pants made for me that I can actually fit into! Its super great to be in the Garments capital of the Philippines because there are so many things you can get made.



On a more spiritual note, this week has been amazing. I know I have talked about this before, but it shows that it's real. The power of prayer is real. I'm still a "greenie" as they call it. So I'm still trying to learn how to survive in the mission field. I've been really trying to become the best I can at not only being a missionary but at speaking Tagalog, and this week I can see that I have received so many blessings from my Father in Heaven. As we were walking this week, we met a family that said that they had a Ang Aklat ni Mormon (Book of Mormon) and so we got to talk to them about it. They asked questions about it and asked personal questions about us. As Elder Reyes and I had said goodbye and left, I realized that I understood everything they had said to me and not only that, but I could answered them too!!



I'm super grateful for this mission. I can see that I'm becoming more and more refined and slowly becoming like Christ. Being here in the Philippines has helped me work on weaknesses I never knew I had and has helped me strengthen them. I'm not perfect at all, but I know through Christ and by coming unto Him and His gospel, we can be perfect.



Love, Elder Aguiar

Riding on a Trike

Me, my comp and roommates

I will go, I will do



Helping build a house


Beautiful sunset at our apartment



Sunday, October 23, 2016

Happy Birthday Mom!

So I’ll start off with something funny this week.  Last p-day, we were at a mall and this drunk guy comes up to one of my roommates (there’s four of us) and starts talking to him about Christ and then at the end of his conversation, he hugs my roommate and gives him a big KISS on the CHEEK!! Then he got into a Jeepney and drove off!  So gross but the funniest thing I have ever seen!!

This week has been the fastest week ever. It has been a tough week, but I know that Christ directs this work and that he doesn’t send any of us forth to fail. This week Elder Reyes and I were able to receive referrals and it was amazing to say the least, to see these people, these Children of God searching for the truth. 

I love the Philippines, and even though trials may arise, we can conquer them through prayer. I just want to say in my short time that I’m thankful for the gospel. I’m thankful to see how it change peoples lives. Sometimes we may feel lost or sometimes lose our sight of our purpose here on earth, but remember, that we are all children of our Father in Heaven. He has a plan for each one of us, and I promise you, that through the Gospel of Jesus Christ you can know that too. I know with all my heart that God and Jesus Christ love us, and they are so anxious for all of us to return to them! I know that this church is true. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church of Christ on this earth. I know if we ever have doubts about anything, even about this church, God can answer that. Through sincere prayer we can know all 
things. :)  I love you all so very much!!

Love,

Elder Cody Louis Aguiar





Monday, October 17, 2016

Another Week in Taytay

So I am very short on time this week, but I will try my best to share whats happened this week!!

Last Saturday Donna was baptized! It was such an awesome experince to see someone who doesn't know much about the gospel, but has that desire to learn more about Christ and God. To see someone progress in the gospel is one of the most tremendous things you can witness. I know that she has a lot of potential and I'm glad to meet those people prepared by the Lord.

Another amazing blessing happened yesterday. Elder Reyes and I were walking to an appt at about 6 at night. As we were walking, a man came up to us and said he had a question for us. He asked what he can wear to our church! How great of a question was that?! We have never talked to this man before but as we talked to him we got to know more about his life and him. He told us that he was having trouble with his wife and kids, and because of that he has felt really depressed. As we listened to this child of God and the trials in his life we were able to see him as he really is. As Elder Reyes talked about church and about the gospel, you could see the look in his eyes of humblness and sincerity. As Elder Reyes spoke to him and as we both testified to him that God loves him, he started to tear up. I had a lot of love toward that man and hope to see him this Sunday because he gave us his word that he would attend. I know that we all are instruments in the Lord's hands, and that one of the most powerful things we have on Earth is the power of Prayer. I know that the Lord listens to us and blesses us and knows us perfectly.

Love,
Elder Aguiar

Comforts from home!



Yep, Dunkin Donuts

My comp loves mayo





Monday, October 10, 2016

General Conference

Yes, General Conference.. Because of the time change in the Philippines, Conference broadcasts on October 8-9. But I can tell you that it was an AMAZING conference. I learned so much and I found a lot of answers to help better myself as a missionary.

I forgot my notebook today, so I cant pull up all my notes or what talks specifically I liked. But I liked the talk given by someone in the Quorum of the Seventy and it talked about "Being ambitious for Christ". It really made me think how to be even more enthusiastic about Christ. There was a quote that I absolutely loved. It was "BOYS BE AMBITIOUS". It really spoke to me. Through that talk, I was able to know how to improve myself and how to be "ambitious" for the restored gospel and of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

This week has also been a testimony builder. I have seen my prayers answered by our Father in Heaven. I know that he lives. I know that he qualifies his missionaries.

I also got a new companion this week. His name is Elder Reyes. He is Filipino, but he is from Austrailia. Its been really cool. We have a lot in common and although I don't have any pictures with him yet, I will have more pictures by next week! I love the Gospel and the Book of Mormon with ALL my heart. It truly is amazing the true and pure joy you can recieve from God in those two simple things.

Love,
Elder Aguiar
Look mom, no forks!



Monday, October 3, 2016

First Transfer

So I know my last email was a little confusing but to sum up last week and this week, I just want to say we DO have a loving Father in Heaven. He listens to us, he helps us, and he blesses us in his own time. 

This week I had the opportunity to see my investigator enter into the Baptismal Waters. Let me tell you, it was great. Not because it was my first baptism, but to know and to see the testimony that Sister CJ has for the Church. I know that the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ can change us and help us know more fully the love that God has for us. I cannot explain in words how fast this first transfer (6 weeks) has gone for me. I never thought in 6 weeks I could come so close to people I have never met before. I know I left my family in the United States but I'm happy to say that I found my family here in Taytay, Philippines. 


My first companion went home after this transfer because he has finished his mission! I was his last companion. I'm super grateful for Elder Radin and all he has taught me. I truly know now, what it means when in Alma it says "Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord;". 

I'm thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Christ is our savior and our Redeemer and that he died for all of us. He not only died but I know that He was resurrected and that He lives again. I know that the Book of Mormon like the Bible to be the word of God. And through the Book Of Mormon we can feel Heavenly Fathers love for each one of us. I know that He listens to our prayers and if we have faith and patience He will answer us and bless us.

-Elder Aguiar


Yes! Pizza!


My first baptisms


Laundry day