Monday, December 26, 2016

Getting Transferred to Mindoro

So sorry about last week but I didn't have any time to write a long weekly email. I was only able to email my mom :)  I found out this morning that I will be getting transfered to Mindoro! I will be in a trio companionship and with Elder Peni which was in my MTC batch coming here. I was very surprised. I'm excited to go and learn more in this new area! So, Mindoro is the only island in our mission which is pretty cool. It is very rural which I'm excited about because I love the trees and animals here. I'm also excited to learn more Tagalog these coming weeks because the island of Mindoro speaks pure Taglog. It will be difficult but I'm going with an open mind :) 

So, for Christmas Eve we had the opportunity to eat at the Bishop's house. We had so much amazing food! They had vegetables, tons of rice and all different kinds of filipino foods. They had lechon too! (a roasted pig). It was so amazing. 

For Christmas we went up to Marian Hills. It's the biggest mountain in our area and we got to go through a huge garden, with the life of Jesus Christ on statues and paintings. It was so beautiful to look at, and look over the whole city!  Afterwards, for dinner we had a picnic with members on the top of the hill looking out over beautiful green hills as far as the eye could see! 

I have tons of pictures today!!

Love, 
Elder Aguiar
















Sunday, December 11, 2016

Celebrating the Savior Every Day

So just of couple weeks till Christmas!

Last week I said that I would try to put more experinces into my letters, so here it goes!

Elder Reyes and I have been trying to put a lot of effort into our lessons and investigators this week, and the new #lighttheworld theme for Christmas from the Church is AMAZING. If you havent seen it, https://www.mormon.org/?cid=HP_FR_25-11-2016_dMIS_fmorg_xLIDyL1-A_ . Check it out. It is a small video about our Savior and things we can do this Christmas to help "Light the World". It is truly an amazing video. As we have used it, it has truly brought not only the Spirit of Christmas into our lessons, but the loving Spirit of the Lord. 

Also this week our Kabahay (all of us in our apartment) have truly seen miracles in our ward and in our work. We have been so very protected by the Lord this week.  We also joined the ward choir for the Christmas party on the 15th. It turns out that I am a "bass" and cannot sing any high notes whatsoever! HAHA 

I don't know who's bright idea this was.. but Elder Reyes (my companion) thinks its absolutely hillarious to tell all the little kids and small girls in our area that I am indeed, a member of OneDirection... There is one great downside to this. They ALL believe him.. So its been interesting seeing parents and their kids think that I am indeed a celebrity.. Even though I do not look even close to any of them, it is really funny :)

That is basically my week. I am short on time, but Merry Christmas. I know the Lord lives and that He is with us every step of the way of in our lives. I'm so blessed to have the family and the friends I do, and to have the knowledge of this great and everlasting gospel:) 

-Elder Cody Louis Aguiar

(A message from Mom:  This came in Cody's personal email to me and I thought I would include it for those of you who helped me with his Christmas present!)

"ONE OF MY FAVORITE presents was all the pictures from you all and my favorite families in  our ward. I absolutely loved that with all my heart. I'm gonna keep that for a while I think... It was great to hang that up and see everyone!

Christmas from home!!

JLeeRoys= liquid gold!  I am loved!

Gotta represent

Chillin

Our apartment... and our fans


Chopping down a banana tree... with a machete!  It's my dream!

Tastes like... cucumber



Yesssss

Oh man!  My FAVORITE!  I'm so happy!

Pictures from loved ones. My favorite gift

Foam ninja stars from Sam!

Gifts for Elder Reyes too.  He loved them!

Pictures and letters from home



Elder Aguiar stocking, so cool!









Monday, December 5, 2016

6 Months!

Wow, so I just want to say that these last 6 months have flown by! Time absolutely goes so fast when you serve the Lord.

I love it here. Again, I'm running low on time so, I'll be quick. This past week I was able to see how gracious the Lord has been to me. He has blessed me with amazing family and friends and examples in my life. Here in the mission, He has blessed me with amazing investigators and protection and safety. 

What I'm trying to get at is, when you are feeling down and don't know where to go, get on your knees and pray to our Father in Heaven. Even in the darkest of times He will always be there with his hand on yours, guiding you through out your life, if we so ask him. It may not always be evident that he has blessed you, but I promise that as you look back on those past times, you will be able to see the blessings and miracles God has wrought in your life. Through my area and my investigators, the Lord has been able to finally open my eyes to His love, and it's an indescribable feeling. Keep praying, keep enduring and you will be able to feel the love of your Father always! :) 
"Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answers to thy prayers" (D&C 112:10)

I love you all so much. Next week I promise to share more experiences and pictures! My SD card unfortunately got corrupted so, I have to start new!

Love, Elder Aguiar
Tracting into a new area and taking notes