Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Transfers!

Soooooooooo... after 6 months of my favorite area, people and investigators, I'm being transferred! I'm going into the city for the first time, and I have been called as a district leader as well in our huge 8 missionary district!  I will miss so much all of the people I was blessed to meet. This has been a great time for me. I have learned more about myself and changed in this area more than I have in my whole mission. I hope with all my heart that the investigators here will continue on the path and continue to come unto Christ, and even if I won't be able to see some of them, my brothers and sisters again (in this life), I know that I'll be able to see them in the next life as we rejoice together!

Gina, our investigator, let us do service at her house this past week. We were able to paint her roof (which was a little bigger than I had anticipated) and she came to church with her 3 kids on Sunday!

We also found a part member family this week! We were out talking to just anyone on the street and it just happened by divine design :) that we talked to a guy, and he let us inside his house.  As we met with his family, it turns out his wife is actually a member of the church and was baptized in her province! It was such a cool experience!!  They have all been really accepting of us as well! 


Elder Cody Aguiar
Philippines Quezon City Mission

A cool bird the members caught

Then we fed it a banana haha

Our amazing district (with Metro Manila in the background)

This goes to show how centered on Christ the Philippines really is!

Monday, November 20, 2017

Binyag saka Bakal

So this week we had a great Sunday! We were able to have a miracle baptism. We met Elnie and we had our first lesson on Nov. 2 and because she attended church 2 times before that, she was able to be baptized this last week. I can honestly tell that she was sooo prepared!! She was so accepting of all the lessons we had shared with her and she has such a soft heart! She was a "Born Again" before, and that had played such a big role in her life, but she got to see the differces in our church and felt most of all, the Spirit testify to her that this was the true church of Christ. 

This last wednesday we got to do service at our bishop's house and I had an "accident" I guess. haha. We were cleaning and cutting down trees and sawing wood, but that's not what hurt me haha. Long story short, I walked into this wierd piece of metal sticking out of their driveway, and since then my ankle has been swollen and there's a nice punture wound in my heel! The good part is that we have an amazing mission nurse that's helped, and I was also given permission to wear Crocs out proseylting while my foot heals so, that was been sweet (pictures included)  ;)

Being a missionary is easily the best calling ever ;) There are many times that really try my faith and patience in the Lord's plan for me, but time after time He's always there for me. The advice I would give to all of you whether you feel strong in your faith or feel the need for improvement -- Continue, press forward and trust in the Lord and His plan that He has for you. Don't ever lose your trust in Him. Let us all do what the Apostle Paul has instructed the Saints: 1 Thessalonians 3 10 .....and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
To perfect that which is lacking in our faith.


Elder Cody Aguiar
Philippines Quezon City Mission

I'm pretty sure my eyes are open...

Elnie's baptism :)

The coolest ever!




Monday, November 13, 2017

I Don't Know What Just Happened...

di ko alam kung anu nangyari kanina, but I know that this week was somehow faster than last week.

This week has been a pretty good one honestly. So I have been in this area for 6 months now, and visiting with past investigators and visiting with members and I can see how much people have changed. How time really can soften peoples hearts to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We met with a former investigator this past week and had a really good but short lesson with him. We were able to explain to him how the Bible and the Book of Mormon support eachother. How they don't replace each other because they NEVER could! And talked and really used the Spirit and he really understood what the Book of Mormon really is. He told us, 'If they support eachother, if the Book of Mormon supports the Bible I will read it!!" It was really cool because he's been an investigator for a long time, and his whole family are all members at this point. But I know whatever happens will be for the best!

As I look back at my first transfer here in Baong Nayon, I can tell that I'm just clay in the Lords hands as he has shaped me and has helped me to improve on many many things, especially the language. I took Spanish for 3 years in high school and I honestly cannot speak it whatsoever except for the numbers. Here on my mission, with the mercy of the Lord, I have come farther in loving this people, culture and language than I thought I could. 

I was supposed to recieve an email from our Zone leaders for pictures, but I havent.. so next week I guess.. 

 

Elder Cody Aguiar
Philippines Quezon City Mission



Monday, November 6, 2017

Was This Week Halloween?

This week was. just. great. Before I tell about my week, I will answer your questions about Halloween! "Does the Philippines celebrate Halloween?" So yes they do, but, it is not very popular.  Our ward I think had a trunk or treat, but it's just for the little primary kids, and the Halloween here is from like Oct.31 until Nov. 3, so kids are just asking for candy, that's basically it haha.

But this week was pretty great. We were able to teach a new investigator that just told us on the first lesson the she was just interested to listen, but as we taught about the Restored Gospel, and as she felt that sweet feeling of the spirit, her intentions changed. And by the end of the lesson she accepted to be baptized on Nov.19!! What a blessing.

This week I have just reflected on my mission, how fast it has been, how I have changed, how far I have come, how blessed I have been. Some people say that their mission changed them so much. For me, I would say its true for me too but, something that overshadows that, I would say: The Atonement of Christ has changed me so much. It's changed me beyond belief, while I have been on my mission. I wouldn't be near who I am without Jesus Christ. Christ and His church, I would have to say is part of me. It is not just something we attend during the week or someone we pray to when we are in trouble. It's Someone we pray to always, and its somewhere we go everyweek to renew convenants to Christ to always remember Him.  

I love you all, and I love the Lord. Something President Koster tells us always is that "If your investigators are not progressing it means they are not reading the Book of Mormon." I reflected on that and realized if we are not "progressing" in our lives as members, if we feel like something is lacking or we feel far from Christ, it is indeed because we ourselves are not sincerely reading the Book of Mormon!

Kabahay Floral Tie Day