"Do it again, but better!"

Hey everyone,

So you won't even believe it. I was on a work visit with another elder and his pensionista (the person that cooks for us) had a Bop-It 2. Yeah, that was super crazy. It was probably last on my list of things I thought I would see here in Perú. Well, it was just awesome to remember all those times we played as cousins and I'm looking forward to some more fun times when we're all back together. It was just so funny for me and I hope you all appreciate the awesomeness.

So this week was super weird and crazy and I don't really know what else. I've been trying so hard to be a better missionary. I'm really trying to study for the investigators, I am praying for them so many times a day, and I am just thinking about them all day long. I fasted for a family this week because the two daughters are more than ready, but just kind of hesitant to actually act on their answers. The other daughter and the mom feel good and know it's true. The dad is the real hard one. He's the guy I told you about that lived in Vernal, well I think I told you. He's super cool, but he just doesn't really want to believe and it's hard because we only get to meet with him once a week. It's really going to take a miracle. I guess my prayers were answered because the two daughters finally said they had come up with a date for their baptism and it's some time in January.

That was still kind of hard for me because I was really hoping they could be baptized in December, but that was the will of Elder Wheatley. I'm learning so much more about trusting and accepting and submitting to God's will. I know that He knows best and will give us all EXACTLY what we need.

I was reading about the ''successful missionary'' in Preach My Gospel for like the hundredth time and I feel like I am doing my best. I feel like I am completing with almost every point it says, but I am feeling a little down. Like it says, it's hard when people don't do what's right even when they know it's true, but I'm doing my best not to get too far down that path. I know Heavenly Father has so much prepared and I'm just going to trust in Him and His timing.

We had a lesson with that family yesterday and I cried. I think it was the first time in my mission that I cried in a lesson, but the tears just didn't fit inside me anymore. I'm doing ALL I can and I know Heavenly Father is watching over me. I know He is preparing the way for all of us to return to Him and I am grateful I can be a part of His plan for these people.

So a cool thing that happened was no one could accompany us one day and we needed someone to go visit this girl. We knelt down to pray as we were leaving and I just prayed that someone would be able to accompany us and at that exact moment we got a text. It was this returned missionary in the ward who said he could accompany us. That was absolutely amazing. It turned out that all day we were just walking, but it was still an answer to my prayer and one of the fastest answers I've ever seen. Kind of like ''The Best Two Years'' super cool and still makes me laugh.

Probably the other coolest moment this week was when I had a dream about Sufjan Stevens. I have no idea where it came from, but it was awesome. For those of you who don't know who he is...go look him up. And if you're on a mission, put him on that list of things you have to do after the mission.

We had a really cool service project where we cleaned the beach. It was so dirty and we picked up so much garbage, but of course after we finished it still looked so dirty...welcome to Perú. It was really cool to see so many people show up though and I'm grateful that we can serve all over the world.

I love you all so much and hope you have the best week ever!!!!!!! You are all in my prayers!!!! For those of you in school, enjoy finals and finishing up before Christmas!!! Enjoy the break too, it goes by way too fast!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love your bestest friend learning and growing in Perú,

 

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

 

P.S.  I'm so excited to Skype next week. I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have the best week ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Cleaning up the beaches in Lima!

 

 

 

Singing on the Mission

Oh yeah,

So first off, thank you so much Mom, Dad, Mariah, Brianna, Aunt Julie, Aunt Kimber and Aunt Stacy for the package. It is absolutely amazing and I'm excited to open the rest for Christmas. The advent calendar is so awesome.  And thank you Oma for the best cookies in the entire world. I love Special-K Cookies so much.  They bring me such great memories.

So the first night my companion (Elder Herrera) and I sang the hymn and it was really cool. (Note from Dayna:  We sent him an advent "calendar" in his Christmas package with little pouches to open up each day with his companion.  They have a song and a scripture and a little treat to enjoy.)  I've been meaning to write for a while about my companions singing abilities, but this one just took the cake. We sang and then I started writing in my journal and he decided to just sing every song in the hymn book. Well, almost every song. He would just sing a couple of notes and well, he really struggles with the tones, like real bad and I love him for it. He sings so loud and proud and it makes me happy just to know that he loves music. So he starts singing a song and then moves on to the next one after like one line. And he keeps saying ''I know this one'' then he sings for two seconds and says ''I don't know this one''. I was cracking up so bad and we laughed for a while because he did it like 30 times. He was mixing up tunes and just going all over the place and it was so awesome. I sure do love Elder Herrera, he's such a funny guy.

One cool experience this week was when I was on splits again (dangerous I know) and was just walking with the member. I felt like I should talk to this old couple who were just sitting on the park bench. I said hi and kept walking by, but then felt it again and thought, that could be a pretty cool family. I told him we needed to go back and we started talking. The guy asks what state I'm from and I tell him, then he says that he has been to Washington and Oregon and has seen pictures of Salt Lake. That was cool, and then the lady asks us if we're Mormons. Then it all comes out that the guy is a member, but she isn't because she's kind of dark skinned. We talk for a little and then I ask if we can sit down. We say a prayer right there and I open up to Official Declaration 2 (first time in my whole mission using that in a lesson) and try to explain what happened. So the guy is still really offended and says he knows God just reading the Bible. The lady is super duper cool though and accepted a Book of Mormon and we went and talked to her another day too. It's gonna be kind of weird, but that was just so cool how God knew and how I finally listened. One of those too cool to be true moments. Who knows if it will lead to anything, but I followed the Spirit and know the Lord directs His work.

Another cool thing actually happened a week ago where we were in the church waiting for a member to accompany us. He got there and it was all just so perfect because someone started knocking on the gate. We were all confused, but went out and looked. So there was this lady knocking and she asked us for a Book of Mormon. She lives in the hermanas area, but she has a baptismal date and it was so awesome.

Another cool guy we met is super crazy. He asked us like 100 questions in 1 minute. He wants to learn so much and we are just praying that he prays. If he just lets himself feel for a second he'll get his answer and his mind can rest easy. His mind goes like a million miles an hour and reminds me of some other great people I know. He's super cool and I'll let you know how it goes this week.

My favorite quote of the week was ''To clean is good, but to not get dirty is better.'' I saw it in a park here and no one follows it, but it's the thought that counts. It made me laugh and at least some people are trying.

Thanks so much for all your support. Have the Merriest of Christmastimes and enjoy all of the lights. I loved the Christmas Devotional last night.

Have the best week ever!!!!!!!! And know I'm praying for you all!!!!!!!!!

Love your Christmas loving pal in Perú,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

Oma's Special K Cookies -- Yum!

''When the Dog Bites, When the Bee Stings''‏

 

What a story,

Yeah, so I assume you all just want to hear about the pictures so I'm gonna start there. First off, everything is fine and no, I'm not gonna turn into some kinda werewolf or freaky Peruvian dog, I'm doing great. It's kind of a cool bruise now though.

Alright, so my companion and I were on divisions with two guys preparing for the mission. I was with Alexis who is a cool guy here, that actually lives in Connecticut, pretty crazy. We were walking around the base of a hill trying to get to some less actives who are a part member family. I was super excited because we had just found a super awesome family too. So we're walking and this UGLY looking dog starts barking at us from the stairs on the hill and then runs at us. It's owner called it so I thought it was all good. It was a super mean dog though, it just hated everything. Well Alexis was closer to the dog so I thought I was double safe. I just kept walking like nothing happened because dogs always bark here. They also say that if the dog barks it won't bite so I was all cool. It barks once behind Alexis and then I just hear and feel my pants rip. Definitely not cool! I mean, that was my third time being bit in the mission. The other two just nipped my pants, but this one destroyed my pants!

My leg was good, just a scrape that bled later. Well, the owner was looking at us and then like 30 seconds later decides to come over when I don't move. She asks if I'm alright and I say I'm fine. She apologizes, probably because she is so afraid her dog just bit a gringo. Alright, I don't really know her intentions, but you catch my drift. I decided this could be a cool mission experience so I try to contact her and she just kind of leaves in a hurry apologizing. Well, I tried at least. I was pretty mad I didn't kick the dog at least so I hucked a rock at the next dog that barked. Well, I guess people were looking and maybe it wasn't the best decision to take it out on another dog, but its over and done now. A friend in the mission suggested that I chop up some ají (peppers) and go throw them in the dogs face. I think that's a bit drastic, but I mean, come on man, I didn't do anything to that dog. Oh well, I'm laughing now and it's all good. 

My companion called the offices for me and they said I should be fine because the dog shouldn't have rabies and I'm just on some anti-biotics. Crazy stories from the mission.

This week was super cool about meeting new people. The Lord really blessed us.  I just know He is preparing people all over the world to hear His message. He loves every single one of us.

We had the longest lesson of my mission yesterday. We got this reference from some members and it's a pretty cool family. The daughters are awesome and have gone to church for months now. The parents are really hard to find and are only there on Sundays. The dad is pretty cool too because he lived in Vernal, Utah working on a ranch for like 3 years, but doesn't know any English. Well the parents have listened to the Jehovah's Witnesses before and that was super crazy. Well the lesson just got hard when we said ''God is our loving Heavenly Father''. I think they are starting to understand, the hermana at least seemed to understand pretty good, but it's so hard to undo so many years of teaching and thinking.

More than anything I am just so grateful for ''the plain and simple things'' that we have as members of the Church and for the Book of Mormon. I love that book so much. I finished 3 Nephi and 4 Nephi this week and loved reading the words of the Savior. I'm so excited to finish for Christmas and give this present to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It's been cool to read in Spanish for the first time and reading it twice in one year is awesome too.

Oh yeah, so the Hermana Lucy is so awesome. She made it to church yesterday with her son Alex who is getting ready to be baptized too. She has so much going on in her life right now, but she's doing all she can to hold on to the peace that she has found. It was so amazing to see her walk in without anyone that brought her.  I love her so much. I just am so grateful to be here in Perú and for these amazing people.

Thanksgiving was good, but just nothing compares. It was cool to eat turkey, but I miss just being absolutely STUFFED after eating with the family. I'm so excited for next year and my stomach is preparing itself already.

I hope you are all enjoying December and the fun weather you are  having. This year has just flown by and I'm excited for all the next one has in store for me.

Thanks for all your love and support. I love you all so much and pray for you all everyday. Thanks for being the best family (friends are family too)!

Love your dog-bitten (finally not fleas) amigo in Perú,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving you guys,

I hope you all have tons of fun eating turkey, or whatever may be offered in the case of missionaries. At the request of Elder Jacob Jespersen I think I'll be eating a double helping of rice. Well actually, we were invited by a member to eat with her, so maybe she has some tricks up her sleeves. The elders lived in her house for years so I'm pretty excited.

This week was just wild.  I am so grateful to be here on the mission. Monday we got to play tennis, which was amazing (shout out to Elder Tanner Christensen), and I'm even getting better. I made it over the net a couple of times. I guess my problem all along was that I was playing on a real court. I'm actually not half bad if there aren't any lines and no rules too. It was tons of fun. Then we went and made picarrones at a members house which are like Peruvian donuts and that was awesome. She said I needed to learn so I could feed my family when I get home. Well, the good news is I know now, the bad news is we'll all be super fat.

Oh yeah, embarassing moment of the week. Monday night we were walking to a noche de hogar (family home evening) and this guy says ''how ya doin'?'' and I knew that he didn't learn that in some English class. I asked him where he learned English and then he told me he lived in New York and was here visiting. It was in the hermanas area and they went to visit him and it turns out his wife and kids are members. That was pretty cool (shout out to Elder Jeremy Sherman repping it in New York. The guy lives on Long Island. So, the embarassing part is that he spoke better English than me. Well, his accent was horrible, but he actually could think straight. Maybe it was just his accent that threw me off, but I couldn't put together a coherent sentence. I just opted for Spanish and he kept rocking the English. Well, that's how Elder Wheatley got beat in an English contest by a Peruvian. You guys are all gonna laugh so hard when I get home.

Then I had a great work visit this week where I saw a two year old drinking some beer. His mom didn't even flinch until I said something and then she acted all surprised. Gotta love Perú and everything, but it's getting to a whole new level. That work visit was awesome because I remember something I heard at the beginning of my mission. ''It's never too late to have a happy childhood'', well now I can say ''It's never too late to have a happy mission''. It hasn't been at all like I expected, but I can decide now. Even looking back I can be happy for what happened and I encourage you all to do the same. If you have some scars from the past, look back and change them into happy times. It's not easy, but I know it's possible and it's so amazing to me the power we have in our hearts and our brains to change things.

Another funny story was this old guy that kept calling me ''monka uma'' which means ''pot head'' in quechua. That was just funny to me.  I hope you know I don't do drugs, although he was literally talking about like a cooking pot.

I read a great article this week that was suggested by Sister Aannaliisa Moulton entitled ''That ye 'might not...shrink'''. It's by Elder Bednar and it's amazing. It definitely tugged my heart strings and I am learning so much that Heavenly Father's will is so much more important to accept than our own ideas. He really does know what is best.

The highlight of the week was definitely the baptism of Hermana ________ this week. It was one of the most special for me. I was kind of doubting if she was ready for the baptism and I couldn't shake it all day. I don't know why I'm so reserved, but I just want people to be ready so they will stay strong. Well the thoughts kept coming all day long, but I knew she was ready. The Spirit kept testifying to my heart that she was ready. Then I would pray and feel good, but the thoughts would come back. Pretty much I was getting ''cold feet'' for someone elses baptism. Well, I prayed and asked Heavenly Father to stop things if they weren't right, but I was going to continue forward because I felt she was ready. I was able to baptize her and it was so special, she said she felt like she was flying with the birds. Well, I was changing and then it came to me that I hadn't had a single thought contrary to her getting baptized. A warm feeling came over me and I knew we had done what was right. I don't know why those thoughts kept coming, but I told Satan to get lost. He doesn't get any room in my brain.  I'm so grateful for that lesson I learned. If any of you are getting ''cold feet'' about doing a gospel ordinance or making another decision (it used to happen when I went to the temple), just tell Satan to get lost. Listen to the Spirit and it all works out. Remember that the Spirit speaks to our mind AND heart. That's what I was reminded of this week.

Oh yeah, flea situation. I'm doing pretty good, but one attacked me while I was sitting in the church yesterday. There's no safe place for Elder Wheatley and his sweet blood.

Once again, Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!! Please tell everyone hi and how much I love them. Just give them all hugs and kisses. Have the best week ever and know I'm praying for and thinking about all of you.

This year I'm grateful for my family that can be together forever, for my mission that has changed my life, for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for the chance we have each day to come closer to Him. I'm so grateful for the Book of Mormon and for a living prophet. I'm so grateful for each and every one of you and am looking forward to many more Thanksgivings to come that we can all spend together.

I love you all so much and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Les amo mas que palabras,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

Show Me the Meaning of the Haste

Oh Yeah,

This week was absolutely amazing and I am grateful to be here in Perú. I went to the temple and it really doesn't get much better than that. I feel that Heavenly Father is pleased with my service and I'm a happy camper. I love Perú so much.

So, last Monday we went out to some cool ruins that are just chilling in our zone. It was really cool, well really it was just nice to see something different and worthwile. It reminded me a lot of Mesa Verde.  (I'm so grateful for all of the fun family trips we've been able to have and am so looking forward to more on the way.) I mean, I think all the people thousands of years ago built their houses the same so, just go visit Mesa Verde. And then we can all go to Macchu Picchu, sounds like a great plan to me.

It was amazing to me to see the difference in some of our investigators this week. Let's just say when we started off they were having a hard time understanding the simplest of things. I don't know if they were just really scared or what it was, but now you can see there is a light on. They are understanding things and can even explain back to us, or have questions of their own. Alright, I know what it is and it's called the gospel of Jesus Christ. When they do what they're supposed to, especially reading the Book of Mormon, they become much more enlightened. For all of you people out there studying at college or maybe another language in the mission, I know the best way to learn is reading the Book of Mormon. In any and all languages. My testimony of that book increases each and every day. I love it so much. Just put it to the test if you don't believe me.

By far the best part of the week was being able to go to the temple with Luis and his wife Rosa. It was a little crazy getting there, but some nice people helped us along the way and we made it there on time (which is amazing with Lima traffic). It was just so great to see them outside the temple waiting for us and Hermano Luis gave me a huge hug. I kind of felt the whole day like I did at his baptism which was amazing. He was so happy and was treating me like his savior.  I sure love him. Once again, I was looking for something big but found joy in the little things.  I'm so grateful I have been able to be a part of his family's life and seeing him go through the temple made missionary work have a whole new level of importance. 

It was so amazing all day the peace I felt. It just felt like home and I really have missed that feeling. I'm gonna go to the temple as often as I can when I get home because that's where I feel best, that's where life gets clearer. I didn't feel overwhelmed with happiness or anything, but the absolute peace was amazing. There is no place better on this whole planet than the temple and I am so grateful we can go there to feel the love of God.

So about the title. Once again, just go watch the Lord of the Rings. It's amazing, oh yeah and maybe The Hobbit part 2 is coming out soon. I really don't know, but I hope you all enjoy it. Well in Doctrine and Covenants 88:73 it talks about hastening the work and President Monson said that prophesy has been and is currently being fulfilled. That was really cool for me to hear and think about. I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing work. This is the craziest time of my life and sometimes it hurts real good, but then I just feel the love of God even more. I'm learning so much about trusting in Him and just doing His will. I know if we do His will we can be, if not happy, peaceful (FULL OF PEACE).  I know God is with us through thick and thin. He's the best friend we could ever wish for and as we truly remember that he is our FATHER, it all makes much more sense.

I love you all so much.  You are constantly in my prayers. 

 

So, I'm trying this thing where I'm gonna be praying more about baptizing and finding new people because prayer has been so powerful for me. I invite you all to do the same. Think of what is most important right now and don't cease praying for it. 

 

Well, I love you so much and thanks for all the support. I definitely couldn't be doing this without you. Keep fighting the good fight as my brotha Jacob Jespersen says. And enjoy the weather wherever you may be.

Love your Peruvian explorer,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seventy Times Seven

Such a good life,

Matthew 18:21-22 (Perú Lima West Mission Translation)

21 Then came [Elder Wheatley] to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall [I have fleas and continue strong]? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Hope you guys enjoyed that. So looks like I'll be writing once again after 483 more attacks. 7 times in the mission, Seventh Heaven. Luckily this time wasn't too bad, but they just love my blood. I love Perú so much though.

Alright, this week was so awesome. I had a great companionship inventory with my companion and we were able to make our companionship even stronger. It amazes me how much we can accomplish if we all just talk. I encourage all of you out there on missions, or at home, to just talk if there's something wrong. We are going better than ever and I am so grateful to be here with Elder Herrera.

One cool thing about last week I forgot is I met Elder Robles. He's from Mexico, more specifically Nogales. Well, that's a place in a song by Brandon Flowers, so once again I did a little freak out. ''From Nogales to Magdalena there a 60 miles of sacred road. And the promise is made to those who venture, San Francisco will lift your load.'' Once again, highly recommended any song by that man. Oh yeah, it's cool cause not many people live there and now it is verified, that it's a real place.

Yesterday was the Primary program and it was so amazing. It's definitely my favorite Sacrament Meeting of the year all over the world. You always get the classic whisperers followed by the yeller. I just love it so much and it was even better from the first one last year in my first area Fiori. It reminded me so much of home and all the great ones I was able to participate in and then later watch. I'm looking forward to many more years to come.

I was thinking about all of the teachers I had in Primary and please tell Sister Nibley, Sister Sucher, Brother and Sister Broadhead, and Brother Bingham that I am so grateful to them for fulfilling and magnifying their callings. They helped me become who I am today. And just thank everyone. I'm so grateful for all that I've been given. Man, Primary was the greatest and maybe one day I'll be able to help some kids stay strong. Every calling in the Church is so important and my testimony of that just keeps getting strong. Oh yeah, and ''from the mouth of babes'' -- I think that's the videos that is just so awesome. They really understand it, better than us. I'm just so grateful I was able to see that yesterday and remember how nervous I was, I've sure come a long way. This girl was crying, but she went on and it really touched me.

Oh yeah, and there were like 50 kids. That's huge. I love my ward so much.

I will hopefully be going to the temple with Luis           this week and I am so excited for that. It will be either Thursday or Friday so we'll see what happens. I'm just so grateful that he is staying strong and for the tender mercies of the Lord, Jesus Christ. I love being here in Perú so much.

We almost had 2 baptisms set up for this week, but yesterday we found out one of them is co-habitating. She told us she was separated in the first lesson and we were so happy. We were so excited for her baptism and she was working really hard. Then yesterday it came out. Well, really it's our fault. We forgot to ask about her second spouse. Oh yeah, I'm gonna be asking up until 4 from now on. 

I hope you all have the best week ever. I'm reading in 3 Nephi right now and I love it so much. I'm praying for all of you.

Please tell the Aunties thanks for the package I love it so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Just keep up the hard work and I'll be looking forward to next week.

Love your flea bitten brotha',

Elder Aaron Wheatley

Bacon

Vacán,

So, that's how you say cool in Perú and I also ate bacon this week so, yeah, good times.

This week starts with me making my way to the center of Lima because my companion had to go to the doctor for his knees. The good news is that he's doing alright, the bad news is that we were resting all week long so not much happened. The better news is that, I WENT TO THE CENTER OF LIMA. Wowwy dowy, it is so pretty down there. Like I was in the long dreamed of Garden of Eden. We drove right by the golf course and it was B-E-A-UTIFUL. I'm talking, holey toledo status. Then we just kept on driving and out of nowhere pops a Nissan GTR. That was pretty amazing. I was drooling and crying and shouting for joy. Alright, maybe not so much, but it was amazing. It was all just so green down there and so well kept. Also, I got to see the national stadium and that was cool.

Then after the clinic we went to Chili's and I got to eat a bacon burger. So delicious! It really can't get much better than that.

We were just resting all week, so not much happened. I got to do a work visit with Elder Holley and that was super cool again. We just talked some more and threw around his baseball. Wow, that was so good. I miss baseball and we just talked a bunch about sports. He got moved to the offices and I'm gonna miss him a ton, but it's so cool to know we have a long time after the mission to have fun. The picture is a painting we found in his area on the side of a school. I really want to take more pictures now because there is some cool stuff going on down here.

For Dad, and all who know what I'm talking about. This week I was just walking along and did the quadratic rap. It was pretty cool and fun to remember you.

Our ward is doing great and we just keep getting more help. Luis             is going strong and will probably go to the temple this month. I'm so excited to go with him and will keep you all posted.

A good scripture for the week is Matthew 16:25 and also Proverbs 27:5 seeing as President has asked us to be more direct.

Letter to President:

In my studies for the week I learned a lot about preaching to the people even if they don't want to hear -- like Samuel the Lamanite. He just did the will of God and many people were blessed for his work and obedience. Not everyone was saved, but it was a lot more than before he started preaching. He was so brave and so direct and I want to be even more like that. I also loved reading about Nephi and how he was so worried for the righteous people. I love how it says the people were nervous, but were firm in the faith. I can't even imagine how that would be, but they teach me a lot about faith. And then it's so awesome when Christ talks to Nephi and tells him that the next day He was going to come to the earth. That's how it always is, He waits until the last minute and we have to stay strong in the faith.

This week was really weird because my companion has been resting all week. My spiritual experience would definitely have to be the interview I had with a joven named Aarón in Los Olivos for his baptism. I just knew he was ready. It felt so good to talk to someone with so many desires just to do what's right. I love doing interviews because I feel close to the people so quickly and I also feel close to heaven. It just amazes me all of the changes people are willing to make in their lives to follow Christ.  I am so grateful to be a part of this work.

I love you all so much and thank you for the prayers. I'm happy to hear things are giong better up at Nomi's and Uncle Tyler will be in my prayers along with the Youngs and the whole family.  Just know that I am so happy down here. It's a different world, but I love it.

Please send my love to everyone, especially Oma and Opa.

''Put that thing back where it came from or so help me''

Have the best week ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love your Sully lovin' pal,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

Aaron and Sully

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!‏

Hola Chicos,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY DAYNA WHEATLEY!!!

I hope you have the greatest birthday ever Mom! You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers and it's crazy to think that a whole year has passed since the last time I wished you a happy birthday. So much has changed since then. It just amazes me how normal I feel here now. I was thinking about a year ago and how everything was so new. It was so noisy and dirty and smelly, but now it's all just normal. It's crazy how much we can all adapt in this life.

It's definitely not a perfect place this Perú, but we're all making it together. I keep being amazed by all the generosity that surrounds me and am so grateful to be serving my mission here. I know this is where I need to be and even though sometimes I get jealous of green in other peoples pictures, I LOVE PERÚ.

I loved the letters you sent from Conference -- thank you to Nomi, Uncle Jaret and Aunt Melissa, Uncle Steve and Aunt Michelle, Uncle Tyler, Mariah, Brianna, Mom and Dad for all writing me. I love you all so much!!!

This week we had a training and then interviews with President Archibald. It was so cool as he talked about the Infinite Atonement. I'm learning so much here on the mission and have come to love and trust in my Savior more than ever. I had a good interview too and he just helped me realize that sometimes I am trying to gather goats instead of sheep, or even worse, turn goats into sheep. God has called me to gather His sheep and President told me that I need to be more direct with the people. I need to help them ''activate their agency''. They need to decide what road they are going to take and if they don't want to go with me, then I need to move on and find the people who do. They aren't rocks or books and choosing wrong is at least choosing. Like Lehi said ''there are things to act and things to be acted upon'' and we as humans should never become rocks that just get thrown around. We can always choose. That was really cool and eye opening.

Also he told me that his great grandma is Agnes Wheatley and that he remembers going to family reunions in Don Ada or something like that. That's pretty cool to think that I'm related in one way or another to my mission president.

The best part of the week was by far being able to call Luis                    . He is the first person I baptized here in Perú and President told me I could call him. He had fallen off the face of the planet and no one knew where he was. He had moved and I was just accepting the fact that he had gone inactive. It was double hard because he was preparing to go to the temple with his wife. He can go November 3rd and I really wanted to go with him. So I find his number in one of my old daily planners. A guy answers and says that he doesn't know Luis. He then asks who's calling and I ask for Luis            . He asks one more time so I decide to say and then just hang up. I'm like, it's Elder Wheatley and then a miracle happens. The man on the other line turns into Luis         and says ''oh hermanito de mi corazón''. Yeah, so that was pretty awesome. It turns out he's faithful as ever and was worried because he had no way of contacting me and wanted me to be able to go with them to the temple. That was so amazing so I will keep you all updated on that. Moral of the story...miracles do happen. I was so happy and am so grateful that Heavenly Father watches over his children.

Happy Halloween this week and please tell the Aunties hi and that I love them. Throw in a big hug from me too please.

I wrote down Matthew 23:12 but don't remember what it says so go ahead and give it a read.

Oh yeah, and The Current Bush. I saw that Mormon Message and loved it so much. I'm gonna read that talk this week for sure. I hope you all have the best week ever and know you are all in my prayers. It's so great to hear that Oma is doing better and that BYU keeps up the good work.

Elder Holley reminded me this week...''how did you find me? We saw you from the village, Hola Nacho!'' What a great movie. I love you all so much.

Your Peruvian pal,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

Welcome to Los Olivos. Gotta love Perú!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Había Una Vez (Once Upon a Time)‏

Hola todos,

That's one of the few phrases I knew in Spanish before the mission. I read ''Your Happily Ever After'' by President Uchtdorf and also ''Forget Me Not'' by him too. Those are two of my favorite conference talks of all time. EVERYONE needs to go look them up. It's alright if you want to call me girly too, I actually told myself I was a girl a couple of times as I read them. I wrote all over them as my thoughts just got flowing too. Wow, I really am a girl. But I'm also a man too!!!!!!!!!! Alright, maybe don't tell me I'm girly, I might feel a little insecure, but I loved those talks so much. They were EXACTLY what I needed to read. It was so awesome to read about how important trials are in all of the good stories and gave me tons of hope and strength. Life really is good right now and I'm forgetting not to love myself. Wow, for real though. Such great talks. I don't know why I just got so excited about them. Man, it was just so amazing!

I really liked a couple of scriptures I found in those talks too. Well one in particular was Philippians 1:3. Then I was also reading in El Libro de Mormón (it's cool reading in Spanish and my goal is to finish for Christmas again). I'm pretty sure I wrote about this before, but once again it surprised me how ''in the space of not many years'' so many things can change. Alma 46:8, Helaman 6:32;7:6;11:26; and my favorite 12:2. It just reminded me of how we all need to do our best EVERY SINGLE DAY to stay on the straight and narrow. I'm so grateful for all of you and your great examples for me to follow.

My spiritual experience to accompany what I learned:

Thursday I was ready to conquer the world and we had a day full of plans to do it. We had 2 people to go with us too and it was gonna be perfect. Then the plans started to fall through as the members couldn't accompany us. We passed by some good people and they weren't there. It was really strange, but I just kept on with the hope that I had in my heart. I don't know why, but I just knew everything was going to be great. It was probably one of the days that I most trusted God in all of my mission. I knew He had plans for that day and maybe they were different from mine. It was absolutely amazing as we were both able to see God just start to put everything together. We had some really special and spiritual lessons that day that weren't really planned and we really tried to focus on just listening to the investigators and then helping them. It was so amazing.  I know Heavenly Father is over His work. His plans are way better than my plans and I'm learning to accept and follow His will for me. I'm so much happier as I do that.

Another cool thing that happened this week was how yet another person said I'm happy. Since being in this area quite a few people have commented about how I'm such a happy person. That's been really cool for me to hear because for the last year I was more accustomed to the usual ''tiene una carra de serio'' (or your face is really scaring me/serious). So it also helps when people say you're happy to help you be happier. I think I'm gonna do a science experiment and when people are sad I'm gonna say they look happy and confuse the sadness out of them. I'll let you know how it all goes down when I finish my experiment. But for real, complimenting people helps me stay so happy.

A quick food update. I finally ate cuy (guinea pig) this week and that's the picture I sent. It was all right, but I'm not sure why everyone rants and raves about it. It was kinda like a mix between chicken and fish, but apparently it's super healthy for you. Unfortunately there is not very much meat on them, so don't be thinking about going and buying a pet guinea pig just to kill it and eat it. I repeat, it's not worth it!

Also, apparently I've been rockin' the liver for some time now. I actually didn't know it was liver, I just thought it was weird tasting meat. Then my companion was like it's higado. So yeah, all those old people in the stories that eat liver are now joined by a joven (young guy). It's really not that bad so if the doctor prescribes it you should just do it. But other than that, not recommended by Elder Wheatley.

Really the coolest thing this week was learning to let Heavenly Father do the work. I'm learning a bunch about patience.  He really is over His work and I know what I am learning here will bless me for my entire life. I'm really trying to humble myself without being compelled to be humble cause I'm not a super big fan of trials. I'm gonna do my best, but really I'm grateful for trials that help me learn and grow and humble myself before my Maker.

Good luck Brianna in your concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll be thinking about you and praying for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe I'll even do a last clap contest (classic).

I'm so happy to hear that Oma is doing better and am happy she can be back with Opa and that you all will be taking care of them. Please send the whole family my love and some big hugs and kisses to Oma and Opa as well as Nomi. Well, pretty much just everyone. And for you brethren in the mission, a bro hug is good enough.

I love you all so much and am happy here in Perú. It's not perfect, but we're all getting a little better together each and every day.

Have the best week ever and know you are all in my prayers! Thanks for all of the love and support. And just go crazy go nuts. Oh yeah, Go BYU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love your girly/manly son, brother, and best friend,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

 

 

Papa

Oh Yeah,

This week was a really great week and I actually want to start with the scriptures and talks I loved so much. So, I know you guys have all probably read it in the Liahona it's called ''His Grace Is Sufficient'' by Brad Wilcox. I actually heard it in my 3rd area with my companion like twice because he had it on his USB. I then read it in Spanish in the Liahona and was talking about it and then Hermana Lind in my zone was like, I have it in English. So next thing I know I have the full talk in English and it was amazing. I don't know how many times I need to read that talk in my mission and life, but everytime it is just amazing. I guess that's how the gospel works, we just keep remembering the same things over and over again and each time a little bit more sticks. I'm so grateful for His grace!

In that talk I also found two amazing scriptures I wanted to share. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and also Luke 1:37. I love the scriptures so much and am so grateful for them. I miss the temple a bunch, but feel close to God every time I read my scriptures.

This week was pretty normal to me at least. I really don't know what to write you about my companionship. Elder Herrera is a really cool guy from Cordova, Argentina. He knows a ton of stuff because he read way too many books here on the mission. He was baptized a little less than 3 years ago and left with 1 year as a member on the mission. He makes me laugh a lot with some of the things he says in lessons, but I know it comes from his huge desire to help others understand the gospel. He's cool because we can just talk about all sorts of things together and it's nice to not have to walk the streets in silence like with some other companions. All people are different though and I've learned from all of my companions. He reminds me how blessed we are to be here in the mission and that's a great thing.

The best part of the week by far was a work visit (I think it's called exchange in English) with Elder Holley. I love that man a whole bunch and am so grateful I get to know him here on the mission. We just had a great time teaching in his area. We had a cool experience where this girl came out of nowhere and just started talking to us in English and she actually spoke really well.

My spiritual experience for the week was during a work visit with Elder Holley. I had a reference for him and we were looking for it. I read him the wrong direction and so we headed off there. I was confused where we were going and then we got there and it wasn't the right place. I told him I thought it was closer to where we started so we headed back. Then we were headed down a street and I was about to turn and then he said he wanted to pass by a testigo church. I thought it was the same so we passed by. Then out of nowhere this girl yells at us. So we stop and she asks us if we speak English. She tells us she is studying English at an institute and always likes to practice with gringos. That was pretty funny, but really cool. She seemed interested about the church too and we invited her to English classes we have in the church. We walked away and then were just amazed at the Lord's hand how he placed us EXACTLY where we needed to be EXACTLY when we needed to be there. I read the wrong direction, then we went down a different street, and it was just so cool. We ended up at the reference and it was like 3 houses from where we started. I don't know what will happen, but I know that God directs His work.

In the night we were able to just talk for a long time. We started off just throwing his trompo (a top) and it was pretty fun. We were just talking about the mission and life and he showed me a bunch of pictures he had. We talked about our families and our biggest fears. It was cool to be able to just open up with someone again and let it out.  I keep getting worked up that life will be so different when I get home and then I realize 1 day still has 24 hours and a week is still 7 days. I get to choose how I use my time and I'm definitely going to choose going to the temple.

It was nice to let go of my fears and know that we are all struggling in this life. Elder Holley is such a great example to me. I love that he gets some sports updates from his family too. Someone may seem all perfect on the outside, but we are all working our best in this life. Just go give everyone a hug for me. We all need it.

About Papa. It's still not 100% real to me, but I feel so much peace when I think about or talk about him. I know he's not far. He's showing us how it's done, just like he was a great example in life. From one of my favorite songs ''he showed me how I'm supposed to live and now he showed me how to die''. I'll be thinking about him and all of you tomorrow. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I miss him a lot, but it's just like I miss all of you. It'll be real one day, but for now I'm just so grateful for the Spirit which comforts me so much. I hope you all have such a great day and that you all have fun times remembering Papa. I love him so much and am so grateful for the time I got to spend with him, especially that last little bit working on the house. Nomi, I love you so much too and pray the Spirit will comfort you. Thank you so much for marrying such a great guy. I owe EVERYTHING to my family for your examples.

I am so happy to hear about Oma and Opa too. You are both in my prayers constantly and I know Heavenly Father will continue to watch over you. Have fun with the family getting together and I'm gonna be there before any of us even knows it.

Have the greatest week ever and please go to the temple for me. I miss that place so much. I'm so happy here on the mission and wouldn't trade this for anything. See you all soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love your amigo fiel para siempre,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

Desert Rose

So Good,

General Conference was just AMAZING and it was so fun to think that all of you were listening and enjoying the same things as I was. Something happened and we weren't able to watch it in English, but I still loved it in Spanish. I definitely have to admit that some things were missing though. We are all so blessed to be able to hear the prophet in our native tongue. The Spirit is always so strong!

I really loved pretty much all of the talks, but was especially touched by Elder Holland's masterpiece. He said just what I needed and it was amazing. It was all the best ever though. I definitely need to study the talks a bunch.

After Conference it was cool to just talk with all of the missionaries. I got to talk with Elder Holley, who actually was my zone leader back in Puente Piedra for the last Conference. I asked him 6 months ago if he loved Peruvians and it took him a couple seconds to say that he felt he did. I really couldn't say that I did at that time, but after thinking for a couple of minutes I realized a lot of people had touched my heart. After 6 months we both could say immediately that we loved Peruvians and even Perú. It's not a perfect place, but I love it. I'm gonna miss it so much when it's time to go home (the garbage and everything). It's amazing to me how much we all can change in such a short time if we just allow God to work in us. He has changed me so much and I am far from perfect, but I'm making my way everyday ALWAYS AND ONLY with His help.

A couple cool things that happened were being able to hear James Taylor rockin his tunes with MoTab. That was an amazing 30 seconds or so and I so enjoyed it.

It was also so cool to see the Tempernacle (Provo City Center Temple I believe). That's gonna be one pretty building and I kind of stood up and shouted with my arms outstretched when I saw it. Good times.

The other cool story for the week was when I asked my companion what the meat we had just eaten was and he said liver. It's actually not as bad as I thought it would have been. I had eaten it like 2 or 3 times before I even thought about asking. And if it's good for my body, all the better.

But by far the best story of the week is Oma!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you so much and am so grateful to hear you are feeling better!!!!!!!! I fasted this week and it was super special. It was one of those times where I really felt like I had accepted the Lord's will. Of course my dream is going through the Brigham City Temple with Oma and Opa when I get home, but I just told God that I knew He knew better. Like we heard a bunch of times in Conference (Isaiah 55:8-9). Yesterday while the choir was singing ''Abide With Me, ´Tis Eventide'' I was thinking about Oma because it is her favorite hymn. I was just thinking about it all and probably the most special revelation came to me. It was one of those moments when heaven touched earth and I know God loves us. I just felt that He misses us so much. We're here on earth and He wants us so badly to be with Him. I just felt like He wants to be with us all and He feels so happy when we die in the faith. He can then be with us again and I just felt how much He loves us and wants to be with us. I hope that all works out in your brain and heart like it did in mine. That was a really great moment to me. I'm so grateful His will was done and that Oma is doing much better.

Well, I'm loving it here in Los Proceres in estaca Los Olivos. It hit me this week that the Mount of Olives in Spanish is Los Olivos. I'm not sure what it says in English, but the description in the GEE (Bible Dictionary equivalent in Spanish) was really cool.

I really loved Isaiah 55:8-9, and Philippians 1:3 this week. I hope you all have the best week ever and please give Oma and Opa and everyone a huge hug for me and a kiss too.

Thanks for being the best family ever! I missed our General Conference traditions, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love your boy in Perú,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

 

 

What Is Love?

Well, I'm laughing, just like I said I would be last week. I got transferred here to Los Próceres in the stake Los Olivos. It was hard to leave Huacho, but I'm loving it back here in the city. It's like I get to start it all over again and I'm just enjoying all of the little things like; buses, traffic, smog, and lots of noise. I'm just loving it and am so grateful I can be serving my Lord and Savior. I really have been laughing the majority of this week because the littlest things just make me happy.

I am companions with Elder Herrera who is from Cordova, Argentina and we are both new in the area so ''white washing''. It's been a pretty crazy week and we've definitely gotten lost more than once. We've walked the limits of our area a couple of times and have definitely been invading the hermanas area. We're not teaching anyone though, so we're fine. Just funny stories. The ward is so awesome here though and have helped us so much. Everyday someone new has shown us around and I am so grateful for a ward that wants to help us. We were able to help with a service project on Saturday digging a trench and that was super fun too. I just love getting down and dirty and helping others.

We had an amazing baptism and are so ready to have more here.

Oh yeah, we/I locked us out of our apartment and had to do some crazy mountain climbing to get back in the room. Okay, maybe it wasn't that crazy, but it was a tiny windowsill that I had to stand on in my Sunday shoes (I should have just done it barefoot). The good news is I didn't fall and die and now everytime we leave my companion asks me if I have the keys. Gotta love those fun stories.

I don't really know what else to say other than I am loving life here. Really, I am just so happy and His will is being done. I know so many good times (as well as growing experiences) are ahead and I'm excited for them.

I wrote this to my President:

My spiritual experience for the week was the baptism we had. We just got here and everything was so ready. Doris just had the purest desires and that was really special to me. She just said she wanted to get baptized and keep learning more. I felt the Spirit when she said that. Also last night we had a lesson with a less active that was amazing. She knows way too much for her own good, but as my companion said, she doesn't understand any of it. She actually agreed and it's sad, but at the same time so happy, to see that she has been humbled so much. I wish she never would have passed this road, but we are going to help her get back on the path. I just felt such pure love for her and her husband and know they can help this ward so much. I know it's never too late to come back to Christ. I shared that with her and it felt really good. We weren't messing around and talked direct to her. I just love being a servant of the Lord.

Thanks for letting me know about Oma and Opa. I feel a part and protected. I know things will be as they need to and trust Heavenly Father is watching over all of you. My prayers are united with yours too and know He will protect all of you.

I AM SO EXCITED FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S THE BEST TWO WEEKENDS OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!! Have tons of fun watching it as a family and I'm looking forward to writing you next week.

Thanks for being the greatest family ever! You are all in my prayers!

Love your little rascal in Lima again,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

Good ol' chicken foot!

His Will

Hey Everybody,

     This week has been really confusing to me, but I continue forward with faith in Christ knowing that His will will be done.

     I found myself asking a couple of times this week something that Tanner had wrote in his email. ''Does God want baptisms, or does He want me to grow?'' Let's just say it's been a pretty hard time as far as people coming unto Christ is concerned. It seems like everyone just keeps falling through, so I thank my Heavenly Father for this ''mountain to climb'' like Aannaliisa wrote (great talk). My will is that I don't hurt and that people come unto Christ, but I am trying my best to do what He wants. I prayed this morning and told Heavenly Father that He has everything of me. I'm done wanting what I want. I will just do what He asks. Still not easy, but I'm getting there.

     Just 2 weeks ago I felt invincible and that everyone in this area was progressing towards baptism. Well, I can definitely say that I have been humbled and will just trust in the Lord's strength from now on to forever. I don't know how many times I have made that promise or how many more times I will have to for the rest of my life, but I will do it as many times as is necessary.

     I'm trying to stay positive though and know this time will be different. I am really trying to find happiness in the midst of afflictions. I know it's not easy, but I don't want to just wait this one out. I want to learn to overcome adversity and for that I thank the Lord. I know He will help me through this. He has never asked me more than I could handle and I trust it will be the same.

     It's really funny because I really thought the hardest times were over. Well, maybe they are. I feel a lot more prepared and stronger this time, but need to continue to learn and grow. I just thank all of you for the support you give me. It helps me so much to know I have so many people behind me.

     I want to be positive now though. I know this will pass, just as you all know too. We are all going to get through these days together, but I wanted you all to know exactly how I felt. I remember some letters like this from Mariah where she had the best week ever and then the next was so hard, but by the next one she was so happy again. I have faith and hope that next week I will be sitting here looking back and laughing so happy.

     I had a really cool experience with an investigator this week named Manuel. He is this 12 year old kid that just explained all of 1 Nephi 1 to us. He said it was talking about the Messiah and then about God, Jesus, and the Twelve Apostles. That was just amazing, I could hardly believe my ears.

     I loved the email Hillary wrote last week about commiting someone to be baptized who was already baptized (in the only true church). That made me laugh a lot because that has happened to me before. You just have to keep going forward and try not to be too embarassed.

     I got to see Elder Custer this week and that was amazing. I am so grateful for all of the friends I have made in the mission.

     I also got to met Hermana Hooper who said she was from Australia then later explained she actually was living in New Zealand. That was so cool to be able to talk with her for a while about The Land of the Long White Cloud. She's from Auckland, but I can't remember what part. I'll have to ask her again when I get to talk to her, but it was so much fun just remembering our amazing family trip there. I love New Zealand so much and am so grateful we were all able to share that experience together.

     Hermano Simon and Hermana Martha (the people that cook for us) send thier greetings and so does my companion. I love it here even with the hard times. I am just becoming a better person and am so excited to be a better son, brother, cousin, nephew, and friend when I get home.
     I am so grateful to be here on the mission and feel like miracles are on their way.

Scripture of the week: Job 5:17-18

General Conference talk of the week: all of them, I'll get more specific, but definitely Mountains to Climb by President Eyring like Aannaliisa.

     I love you all so much and thank you for all of the prayers. I'm excited to tell you about all of the miracles that will happen this week. My miracle for the week was me changing, little by little, but it's sure a miracle.

     I love you once again, have the best week ever and know I am happy doing the Lord's will,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

I Love Less Actives!

Hey there everybody,

     So this week started off with a big scare. Well, actually it happened 2 weeks ago, but I didn't want to worry anyone. Let's just say that my SD card got cleaned by the computers here and I lost ALL OF MY PICTURES. I was just praying something would happen and some nice guys helped me out. I don't really know how, but I got back almost all of the pictures. I was gonna be so sad losing all of my memories from Huacho, but God is merciful. I know that's true.

     So two cool people I met. There was this lady named Nomy (pronounced no-me) and that's not a coincidence. She's the sister of Antonio Medina who was baptized and well, it was just cool. I love you back home Nomi!

     The other great person was Hermamo Simon Silva. We eat at his house and he's this awesome 67 or so, year-old guy. He went out with us this week and it was exactly what I imagine going with Opa would be like. He is such an awesome guy and just loves talking with everyone. He is so friendly and has no fear or shame of anything. It's fun to be with him and we're going to go out this week too so I'll probably be writing again. So fun to be reminded of grandparents.

     Rocío finally accepted a baptismal date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's been so hard to find her, but on Saturday we were finally able to talk with here. She was doing her usual, I don't know if I've received an answer which is hard. She had read until 1 Nephi 9 almost though and that was awesome. She said she just loves reading, but no one JUST READS the Book of Mormon. I am so grateful for that book and the spirit it contains. So we challenged her and she said ''yeah, I think so'' Then her brother and another non-member got talking and that was a little scary. I could see the look on my companions face and knew I had the same one, so I just prayed. They were all saying ''it's not a game, you have to be sure'' and ''is it yes or I think so''. Then Rocío beat them down and said ''yes, means yes doesn't it?'' And I was just so happy. Her brother in law who is a less active return missionary told her it is the door that leads to everything and it was so cool to see him remember what he had taught so many times. Well, we were all so happy, I think Elder Arciniegas and I more than her, but either way it was AMAZING!!!!!! OH yeah, it's practically impossible to feel the Spirit in her house. Not sure if you missionaries know what I'm talking about, but light always defeats darkness and I know the Spirit was there. Sometimes it's hard to realize, but I know the Spirit is with us.

     President Archibald gave the whole mission a goal of doubling thier number of lessons with less actives and well, we had 11 last week so we thought it was going to be really hard, but we wanted to do it. We worked our hardest all week and Heavenly Father blessed us so much. We were able to reach our goal and that felt so nice. I just love working with them so much because, I don't know, it's just so rewarding. We are working a lot helping two families prepare for the temple and another from that family to get married and baptized. I love working with them so much.

     We had a Stake Conference yesterday that was for all of Perú I think (the 100 stakes and 22 districts or something like that). It was so amazing and I am so excited for General Conference.

Elder Arciniegas is still the best companion ever and I love being with him. Thank you for all of the prayers in our behalf. I am loving it here in Santa María and it just gets better each and every day.

     I attached what I wrote to my president below. I think it's pretty good stuff, hope you like it.

     In my studies this week I've learned a lot from the war chapters in Alma. I've read them many times, but now it's different. Maybe it's because I'm reading in Spanish, but I don't know. I've just been able to apply them a lot more to my life and it's been really cool. I really liked how Moroni fortified the weakest spots with the most men and that made me think that my weakest points need to be protected the most by my thoughts. I also loved reading General Conference addresses from April. I don't know why I haven't been reading them before, but hopefully I will be able to read all of them before October. I love General Conference so much and the Stake Conference yesterday made me so excited to hear our leaders. Elder Arciniegas and I also had an awesome companionship inventory and it's just so amazing to be with someone that doesn't want to change everything about me, but instead wants to help me become a better person. I am so grateful to be with Elder Arciniegas.
     My spiritual experience this week was probably the whole week. It was actually a pretty hard week as far as my mind went. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but I wasn't letting myself be super happy. I just kept working really hard though and now looking back I feel so happy and so fulfilled. We worked so hard with so many people and so many of them did what they needed to come unto Christ. We asked Rocío for like the fifth time if she would be baptized and she just said ''yeah, I think so''. Her brother was there and another non-member too and they got all worked up and said ''bautismo no es un juego''. Then she just said ''yeah, Saturday''. It was so awesome to see her stand up for what she knew was right. I know she received her answer as she has read the Book of Mormon and that is what gives her the strength to do what God asks. A lot of less actives took some big steps this week too and it was just so special. Looking back this whole week was a spiritual experience of learning to work when it's hard and the good times will come. I know Heavenly Father is over this work because I can see His hand as I look back.

     That's so crazy to hear about all the rain you are getting in Provo. It's looking pretty good here. It's almost always cloudy in the morning, but hardly ever rains. It's pretty funny because if the ground gets wet everyone says that it rained pretty hard. I don't really know how to describe it, but it's more of just really humid air, or really tiny rain thingies, they call it llovizna, I think. But the afternoons have been really nice this past week.

     I am praying for you all. And Brianna you looked so BEAUTIFUL, just GORGEOUS (sp? maybe I should stay away from big words) in your Homecoming pictures! 

     I hope you all have the best week at school, at work, and at play.

Love your son, brother, cousin, nephew, and friend in Perú (Matthew too),

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

Elder Arciniegas

Hey Everyone,

This week has been such a great one.  I know the Lord has so many more blessings just waiting for us as we serve Him with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength.

I wanted to tell you a little bit about my companion Elder Arciniegas. Well, he's the bomb. He just does what the Lord and President Archibald ask him to do without thinking twice. He is such a hard worker and I get home so tired everyday. It is so amazing to have a companion who just wants to work because it is the right thing to do. He doesn't worry about what others think and has such a love for the people. Also, he broke up with his girlfriend last week. Oh yeah!

Now, I'm not saying everyone else needs to do that, but the Spirit told him to do it and he did it. That was so cool to see someone give up their own desires and something so special to them, to follow the will of Heavenly Father for them. It wasn't even that big of a distraction before, but he wanted to give everything to God so he did it. What a stud!

I got to work with Elder Poole this week too and that was really cool once again. If you don't remember, we were companions in the MTC and it just amazes me how far we both have come as missionaries. It was a great day and lets just say I wasn't prepared for what was coming up. A lesson fell through so he took us to another house. These people have been in church every week so I just asked the guy how long he had been member. Elder Poole then tells me in English that he isn't a member. I was totally confused and then it turns out the mom is a member who won't get divorced so she then can get married to the guy she is living with and so he can get baptized. But it gets worse.

She has an 8 year-old daughter that she won't let get baptized. I was totally unprepared for that. I opened up the scriptures, tried asking some good questions, tried to understand but nothing. I never thought I would come across a member that didn't want their child to get baptized. Well, she does want her to get baptized she just doesn't think she's ready yet. That's really sad and I just want to thank you Mom and Dad for teaching me what was correct and then allowing me to choose. I love our family so much.

So the lesson fell through with The Killers lady, but we have another appointment this week. I heard a guy playing sax from the street so we of course had to knock his door. He wasn't super interested, but I loved the sax and know I have to buy one when I get home.

Now for quote of the week. ´´Don´t give two years of your life to God, but give your life to God in two years´´ That one was really good and I'll be living it extra this week.

Thanks for all of the love and support. I love you all so much and you are all in my prayers.

BYU COUGARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love your pal in Perú,

Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

Brandon Flowers!!!!!!

Hey everybodies,

I'm trying to send this out to a few of my brothers. Not sure if you want to hear what's going on, but I suggest just taking a picture and reading it later so you don't take up internet time. If you don't have time to read it don't worry though. I just love you all.

So now on to my title. I was walking one day to lunch and we had to recharge our phone (not a cellular device) so I crossed the street to go to the shop. Well, lets just say I was being watched over that day because if I never would have crossed I would have never been blessed with the heavenly sound that entered my ears. I was walking by a house and I just stopped dead in my tracks. I would have recognized that voice from a mile away and a tear of joy almost came to my eyes. Yep, you guessed it, the one and only Brandon Flowers. I assume it was the new The Killers album because I didn't recognize the song and it was beyond anything I have ever heard on this earth. So for you guys back home, I urge/exhort you to listen to anything and everything that has been touched by the hands of that man. Oh yeah, almost forgot the best part. We're late for lunch but there was no way I was gonna deny a sign directly from the heavens so I knocked the door. This lady opens and I just tell her, ''that's The Killers, isn't it''. She's all confused to see some gringo at her door but tells me yes. I explain that I love him and then decide to be a missionary and tell her who we are. Turns out that she's a big Catholic and wants us to pass by and talk about the Bible this Wednesday. I hope we can help her learn about the only true Church of Jesus Christ and trust He will help us. Talk about going original on contacting. I love being a missionary!

My spiritual experience definitely came in a lesson with an investigator Rocío. We were just talking before we were going to start teaching and it came up that her son had died a couple of years ago. It was so easy to see that she was still hurting from that, like any mother would. My companion started talking about the Plan of Salvation and I was just thinking about jumping straight to what happens after this life. It didn't work out so we just kind of explained it all, where we come from, why we're here, and where we're going. As we talked about what we need to do in this life she 100% understood that we are here to follow Christ. Then we explained about the spirit world and how her son was taken care of. Her sister who is a member was there too and talked about how their mom had died too. The mom and the sister, María, had been baptized and that was a special connection for them. I was freezing cold because I was in a short sleeve shirt and it just got super cloudy, but you could see that the Spirit was working in them. Not because they were crying, but because you could just see the change in her heart. We explained that there is a judgment and to be able to live with Heavenly Father again we need to follow His Son and be baptized. My companion invited her to be baptized and she was a little hesitant, then he asked her again and she said she would pray about it. It was so amazing to be a part of helping someone else understand the Plan of Happiness that Heavenly Father has given us. I think the more amazing part was me learning about the Spirit though. I used to always think that it had to be something big, that I had to REALLY feel it. But just being there and seeing the change in everyone around me I could recognize that we weren't alone. Heaven is always helping us in this work. Just like it says in Galatians, I felt: peace, joy, love, faith, and good things so I know the Spirit was there.

I also got to talk with Antonio and Reynalda this week and we had a great lesson about the temple. I am so excited for them to continue learning and growing in the gospel and am so grateful to be a part of their lives. It is just so amazing to me all of the people I have come to love here on the mission.

We were able to help a lot of less actives go to church yesterday and it was great to see our investigators make it too. I had fun explaining 1 Nefi 4 to some investigators this week and she was laughing so hard. She said I made it just like a movie.  It is so much fun to be teaching the gospel to these people.

My companion is the greatest ever and we get along so well. We just talk about anything and everything. He really loves cars and I'm learning a bunch about them too. He used to do street racing and he's so cool. I love him so much and am grateful for Elder Arciniegas. This work is the greatest!

Have the greatest week ever and enjoy school! I'm praying for you and am looking forward to hearing all about it.

Love your best friend forever,
Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

P.S. I was trying to send more pictures but this is the only one that worked. I just saw it painted on the side of a house and it's a great quote. I hope you guys all have fun in the rain today.

"Don't wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain!"

Happy Days!

It's a great day everybody,

This week was one of the most rewarding weeks of my entire mission.  I just love it here in Huacho:Capital de la Hospitalidad.

I don't remember if I wrote about Anahí before, she's the girl that here parents are really messed up and I just felt that her only way out of the cycle created here is through baptism (I guess that goes for all of us though). Well, she was baptized on Saturday and it was amazing. We didn't get very many opportunities to teach her, but when she said the Spirit ''is an angle that we can't see, but we can feel it'' we both knew she was more than ready for baptism. Her mom and older siblings are all members of the church and her dad came to the baptism which was awesome.

Alright, now for the story. It all starts with having to do the baptism at 6 because her dad would be working until then. Then of course we add the fact that we are in Perú and the baptism didn't start until around 7:15 or 7:30. So I get into the water and you can imagine it's pretty cold. Now remember, we're talking about a 10 year-old girl that is about to get baptized. So I try to help her in the water and Elder Arciniegas takes her other hand from outside of the font. She makes it little by little down the steps and is on her tip toes in the water. I'm trying to help her, but she's already breathing pretty heavily. It was really cool to know we were making a difference in her life though.

I say the prayer and am about to help her under the water when she resists with all the strength her body can muster. Well, I take a second and try to talk to her like President Archibald had told us was okay to do. We try again and even worse. It was freezing cold and she doesn't know how to swim so she was double scared. It had been a couple of minutes so I decided I should say the prayer again and then nothing. We walked over to the stairs and she said she was going to do it herself. I'm not exactly sure how it all works, but I just was doing everything to help her get under the water. She went all the way up to her neck and couldn't go any farther. The bishop decides to shut the doors and comes into the font to try and help us. We keep talking and he says we should do it tomorrow to which Anahí replies immediately ''I'm doing it tonight''. Well, that was enough to make any grown man stop and we let her exercise her agency. Nothing was working and now comes the best part of the story.

Once again, not sure about church policy, but I was going to do everything I could to help her follow Jesus Christ. So, I go into the font and submerge myself completely, all the way under. It was so freezing cold, but I did my best not to show any reaction. She starts to feel a little better and when we open the doors the few people that are there are all surprised to see me completely wet and not her. Needless to say, I was pretty surprised too.

We muster up the courage for one more and I say the prayer. She tries to hold on to the railings that are out of the water so I put my arms under the water and try to support her. She almost goes all the way under, but just the tippy top of her head doesn't make it. That was after a couple minutes of talking after the prayer too so we give it one more go. The bishop is a witness inside the font and my companion is outside. I say the prayer for the fourth time and after about 40 seconds and two or three attempts on her part, she gets here whole body under the water and comes out. It was really special and she was so happy. So was I and freezing cold too after about 20 minutes in the font.

After we get changed she bears her testimony and says she felt clean after her baptism and ''new''. That was really cool to hear because we hadn't been able to explain things in much depth to her. I know Heavenly Father is watching over and loves every single one of His children because I was able to be a part of helping Anahí. She's such an awesome girl and can break the cycle now.

We are also helping an ex-obispo (bishop) make his way back and that is really rewarding. It's so sad to see them fall away, but we'll help him and his family back.

I hope everyone enjoys school this week. I can't say I'm jealous or anything though. I really am loving the mission and wouldn't trade this for anything. I'll be joining you all before we know it though so let's enjoy our time now.

I'm so happy to hear everything went well at the wedding and am so happy for Charlie and Kaitlin. I got the announcement this week and it was awesome. I'm glad Mariah is back safe and sound too.

Happy Birthday Aunt Kimber!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't have your email to write to you, but know that I'm thinking about you.

Have the best week ever and I hope you liked the story. The mission is the best ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy your classes!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love your best friend living it up in Perú,
Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley