Bagong Nayon Pa rin

Yun, so transfers are right now, and I'll be staying in the Bagong Nayon area for 6 months! haha but it is totally ok because this is my favorite area by far! The members are just so funny even if they are makulet, but they all have a special love for the gospel of Jesus Christ. So I'm not sure if you can really tell, but I'm really trying with my english right now. Some of the kids here or some of the rm's that are learinng english ask me for help and to speak in english or to translate something. I can't!! haha when I say something it just sounds so wierd!! ENGLISH IS WIERD! haha who would ever think I would say that? 

But these last weeks have been really... wonderful. I can honestly say that I have not seen so many miracles in my last 15 months than I have seen in these last 2 weeks. I'm extremely grateful for the many blessings from my Father in Heaven. As recorded in the Book of Alma, I too know that Man is nothing! Or as Moses had explained after his amazing experience with the Lord, he too knew that Man is nothing compared to God. 

Every Monday we have been having Family Home Evening with the recent convert Babante Family!! (Whose goal will be to be sealed next year in the Temple:) )They absolutely LOVE IT! They have been inviting their family who aren't members over and it's so fun! Last night Brother Babante ended with some closing remarks, and he expressed how much he loved us for helping him and his family be so happy. It was a heart touching experience. We met with Udices again this week! And I absolutely love him. The lessons we always have with him are always the best!! As he explains his week to us, he's starting to realize all the blessings and the miracles in his life! He said ever since we met with him, all the "bad demons have gone away". He's so great! We asked if he wanted a blessing with some other things he's been going through and he said yes. After the blessing he asked a question that I have never been asked after a blessing... "What was that? What did I see?" Me and my companion looked at each other because I was honestly so shocked. He said during the blessing he saw an image. He saw some sort of VISION.  He drew it out and It was something I have never seen before. I searched later that night in the book of Revelations, and found nothing. There were some correspondence but we still have no idea, but I think that's just between Udices and the Lord. 

I have been humbled to know of the confidence the Lord has had in me personally these last couple weeks. I'm so thankful that our Heavenly Father has more faith and confidence in all of us than we do in ourselves. That because He can see our infinite potiential and truly see what we can become.

I dont have pictures I'm sorry. I left My camera at homee.. Next week:)

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Elder Cody Aguiar

Philippines Quezon City Mission

Note from Mom:  I got this picture from President Koster's post and I'm re-posting it so we (and by we, I mean me) don't have to be deprived of Cody's happy face this week :)

Daming Himala

So this week has been easily the BEST week of my mission. Our week was full of miracles! We have just had tons and tons of random and amazing referals from members, and a lot of miracles with our finding this week. So just to make it short, I'll just mention one amazing miracle that has easily topped what I have been able to experience this far. We were finding this week and we honestly didn't know where we were going, but I was just walking and saying hello to everyone as always, and one peson had answered and I felt like I should go back and talk to him. Turns out his name is Udices and with the many, many... many experinces he had shared with us, it seemed like he had no more hope for this world. He had literally said he had no care for where he was going after this world, because all care would just vanish after we died. After about 30 minutes of trying everything we could think of, finally I felt impressed to just lay everything out there so he could really know for himself, that the message we carry is the answer to his questions. After asking him questions, he explained he had faith in God to answer his prayers, and that he had sincerity with all his heart that he truly wanted to know. I then said, "You have those things, can we all kneel and pray to God if this is His answer to you?" We had shared about the role of the Holy Ghost and the fruits of it so he can recognize it's presence. We all kneeled , and he said the prayer. After the prayer finished, he said nothing but just cried. He asked where the church was and said he would attend church! He also knew that God had answered his prayers. I know of a surety the power of the Holy Ghost and that it can soften anyones heart!! Even my new best friend Udices' heart. I know how powerful faith is, and as Moroni put it in the book of mormon,

 37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith thatmiracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because ofunbelief, and all is vain

Faith is essential for all of us! 

This week is the last full week of the transfer! It was flown by talaga.. Gen Conf was sobrung maganda and I loved the spirit that was there. I know this church to be true and that our Savior, our Master is the head of it. I know faith, if you use it every day, can grow into something totally wonderous and powerful. I love the Lord and can't wait to get back out and testify to the people searching (whether they realize it or not) about the Gospel of JesuCristo

Elder Cody Aguiar

Philippines Quezon City Mission

General Conference!! joke lang, next week for us :)

I'm thankful for all the emails about how GREAT General Conferece was! Unfortunately we have to wait until next week. But that will give us the oppritunity to work on our patience ;) 

But I'm so thankful for this week! I can't elaborate my feelings this week, but they were amazing!! There have been ups and downs obviously, but I'm thankful and I can tell I have changed so much. So lately we have been struggling with new investigators in our area, so we just put our faith in the Lord, and went finding everyday this week. On Wednesday we went finding 2pm-6pm and we were able to find 10 people that were willing to listen to the wonderful message we carry as missionaries. Something I like to say when we explain about the message we have, I'm always sure to say when I feel prompted to, is "What we will explain to you is not "our" message as missionaries, or something our leaders had made up, but it comes directly from Christ, through Prophets, our church leaders". 

One experience I'm so thankful for and something I think about often is what happened on Wednesday. We were able to find 40 workers, (what did I do? I got in and helped them dig of course and it was so awesome haha!!!!)  who all live in a boarding house they fashioned using what materials they could. It turns out they are here building cement walls near our house and will be here for more than a year. Those we talked with all came from different parts of the Philippines just to work here and gain money. I met a 16 year old who came with his brother, all the way to a 60 year old man. As we just sat on the curb on this back street, I was completely humbled by them and by the circumstances they were in. We shard about the Plan of Salvation and they could feel the Spirit working in them, because when we asked what they were feeling, they said it was a beautiful feeling. 

I'm grateful for the gift of charity, because I've been able to really love those we have been teaching. It's such a special feeling and it has changed me. I know this work is the most important work on the earth and I'm so humbled I'm able to be here engaged in it. I love all of you, and I know so strongly that Heavenly Father has such a perfect love for all of us.

Elder Cody Aguiar

Philippines Quezon City Mission

(Note from mom, Elder Aguiar is in the second to last row, third from the right)

Binyag

So honestly, I'm just living my life as a missionary. What could possibly be better than preaching the Gospel of Christ to those who are searching for it?? I have noticed how much trust the Lord has in us as missionaries, to go forth completely turning from our lives before and just teaching repentance unto His people. I have found out a little bit about myself this week. After our baptism on Saturday, I reflected on why I love my mission and what drives me. The answer I got helped me to learn more about myself.  I have realized on my mission that I LOVE to help people in any way possible. When I'm not able to help someone, whether it is with holding something too heavy, or someone having trouble getting out of a jeepney, or just with problems in their lives, I find the MOST JOY in my life when I am serving those around me.  And how great is it that right now, I have the opprotunity helping all those that will recieve the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This week was pretty great! It went by terribly fast! On Wednesday we went to the trainer-trainee meeting with our amazing mission President and his wife. One thing I can tell you is the Spirit was so great! It was there and it was a fun and great experince to be part of it with my batch.

On Saturday we were able to have MTC exchanges again! It was awesome! It was me and 3 OTHER AMERICANS! haha You can only imagine how much we were just stared at as we walked and were together! They were so awesome and we were able to see miracles in just our 2 hours together! You could say we are now friends and that we will be looking for each other after our missions!

Yesterday we had a miracle baptism! It is the sister of Arjay. Her name is Nica, and she's so awesome!! Right now, their mom isn't too interested in coming to church, but we are doing all we can so she can realize the truth we bear as missionaries, so that they can be "together forever through Heavenly Father's plan".

I'm ALSO SO EXCITED to announce I HAVE A NEW NEPHEW! Little baby Matai! WHAT A CUTE BABY!!! AND with my amazing sister Holly and the amazing opportunity she has to enter the temple in November! And also with my great older brother Darin and his wife Ross with their new callings!!!  I love my family!

Elder Aguiar -- Quezon City Philippines Mission

Shaking Hands with Elder Andersen

Shaking Hands with President Koster

Amazing Conference with Elder Andersen and Shane M. Bowen

Power!

So this past week has been the HIGHLIGHT of my mission!! But sadly I dont have much time to share all the details about it... :(

This past Friday, we had a vist with ELDER ANDERSEN from the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. It was AMAZING!! I was on a spiritual high all that day! We were able to shake hands with him and with the area presidency. It was just such a humbling feeling. Even though I was super nervous haha for some reason, I was humbled and I know thats something like the Savior would be like. I forgot my many pages of notes from his talk, but the spirit was just spewing out of the roof of the chapel!!!  He talked about the spiritual gifts we were able to recieve and ref. Moroni 10:17 

17 And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will.

That "he" is us. Because its obvioulsy lowercased. So according to our desire and will, through prayer and action we can acquire any of the spiritual gifts we want to acquire if we have a righteous desire. It was amazing. He had many other things he talked about, but thats just the one I'll share with you.

Then on Saturday and Sunday we had our stake conference. And earlier today we were able to attend the temple. I cannot tell you how much I have learned in the span of 1 week! It has been full of  spirit and revelation for myself and for our area here.

We have been having trouble lately finding people to teach for the last couple weeks, but we have focused on just doing what the Lord wants us to do and nothing else and... we have had SUCCESS! Just yesterday, we met and taught a family who seemed just to be glowing as we taught them about the Plan of Salvation and about the special plan that Our Father in Heaven has for each one of us. And as I have been able just to teach out of love and see them as the Lord does, I cannot explain the change that has occured! What a blessing!!!

I know this work is the most important work on the earth, I know that God lives and His Son is the head of this church right now. I know that the temple is truly the the House of the Lord and that we will be able to live in never ending joy in the next life if we strive to do our best.

-- 

Elder Cody Aguiar

Philippines Quezon City Mission

Anak Ko 'to

This week has been a pretty interesting one! I now have an "anak" (child).  In mission terms: I have been called by the Lord to train! Last wednesday I went to the mission home and there were talks, workshops and at the very end, our companionships were announced. My new brand new companion coming straight out of the MTC is Elder Remulta. He is from Davao. He's great, and just like "The District" cd's, "Elder Remulta came pre-trained." haha. He really has a desire to be a missionary and serve the people here.

This Friday we will be visited by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. Our whole mission is so excited, especially me!! I will have to let you know how it was next week! I ran out of time but at least I have pictures this week.

Remember that any kind of trial you go through, the Lord knows your heartaches and your weaknesses. But have faith in Him that no matter what happens, it is His plan and it will all be for the better. Elder Remulta shared a (I forgot the word.. ) but anyway it's like an explanation of trials. To become stronger we have to lift heavy weights, ganoon din with our trials, for our faith to become stronger and stronger, we need to go through trials. I know the Lord lives and Im ever happy that Im in His service!  

Elder Aguiar
Quezon City Mission

Anak ko

Kabahay

Ward Baptism

Our Batch is Training :)

MERRRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE PHILIPPINES!!! 🌲🎄⛄🔥🎁 (Yes, The "-ber" months turn Christmas season into a 4 month season!)

Anyways this week was honestly so amazing!!!  So transfers are tommorow, and I got a call last night, from the AP's. They explained that The Lord has called me to train a brand NEW missionary. As he said that, I didnt say anything because I was just surprised totally. The AP was wondering if I was on the other line because he thought the phone line cut out. But anyway, I'm so thankful that the Lord has given me His trust at this time, as well as His confidence to excel as a leader and also a trainer. I'm grateful I have this time to stretch myself in my callings, and to love my district as well as my new trainee! 

This week we were able to have MTC exchanges with Elder Crane and Elder Palmer, both from Utah (where all the missionaries from the MTC go on splits with the missionaries in the field) and I can tell you it was SUCH a spiritual experience!! We were able to find the elect of God! We met a guy named Jassmer and as we talked to him he expressed that his mother had passed away and that he wants to come back to God through church attendence. I explained that this was the plan of God for him, for us to meet him and share how families can be together forever. The Spirit was definitely there. 

This past week I have been able to see the many many blessings the Lord gives me personally everyday. I know without a doubt He knows each one of us personally, He knows our names, our weaknesses and our struggles, for we are His children and He loves us. This week my testimony of the Savior, of God and of the Book of Mormon, was strengthened so much. I know Christ lives, He has a body and suffered for each one of us, kaya He knows how to succor us. I know without any doubt in my mind that He is the Head of this church. Thank you for all the prayers and the love.  Mahal tayo ng diyos. Alam ko na, perpekto yung plano ng Diyos para sa atin. Mahal ko kayo

I dont have any pictures :( But I can gurantee there will be a lot next week!! ;)

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Elder Cody Aguiar

Philippines Quezon City Mission