Monday, July 28, 2014

Feliz Fiestas Patrias!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Perú!!! What a great place to live!

I was thinking about it last night and realized that there was a Peruvian festival or something like that in Utah right before I left that I wanted to go to but couldn't. So then I thought about it and realized that it must have been for their fiestas patrias (independence day). I'm so excited to go celebrate when I get home. I'm gonna be getting me some ají de gallina, some lomo saltado, some picarrones, and of course the mother of all Inca Kola. Yeah, just glorying in all things Peruvian for a second there. Gonna miss that fine food. Here I come Las Tinajas. Any and all are welcome to join me as well. I think I'll be going on a no rice diet for a couple weeks and then I'm just going to get all sorts of withdrawals and run to the Peruvian restaurant.

So, about the week. Well, it was a good one and I remembered to right a couple things down. To start it all of I'm gonna share what I wrote President.

In my studies this week I continued reading the words of Abinadi. I really like chapter 14 of Mosiah where it quotes Isaiah again. I know that Isaiah is so important because Jesus said it, but also because it's quoted so many times. As I read the footnotes I realized that those scriptures were quoted a lot of times in the New Testament too and that was something I hadn't realized before. It amazed me more than ever this week how all the books of scripture are so intertwined and interconnected. It strengthens my testimony every week as I am able to find the same doctrines consistantly taught throughout all of the scriptures. I was also able to study about the Creation in Preach My Gospel and that amazed me too, how many seperate accounts we have of the same events. I know it's one of the most important things to understand and as I was able to study all the different scriptures it broadened my understanding and instead of taking from one another, they all built upon each other. I know the scriptures were written by prophets of God.

My spiritual experience of the week happened on a companionship exchange. I went to Rosales
 where I had been over a year ago and was remembering lots of people there. I had thought earlier in the day of a young man that I had helped be baptized and then we were really close to his house. The appointment fell through so I asked if we could stop by. He had stopped going to church like 1 or 2 weeks after he was baptized because he worked on Sundays and it was really hard for us to get a hold of him. I thought he would probably be working, but it was worth the try. We rang the doorbell and he came out. He kind of took a step back when he saw me and was really surprised. He let us in and we were able to talk for a little. We talked about his baptism and he said in that moment he was able to feel such a difference in his life. He said he wasn't working anymore and said he would go to church on Sunday. I was really hoping he would because it was a nice little lesson to remind him of the change that takes place after baptism. Yesterday, the elders in that area called and said that he had gone to church. I was so happy and feel like he has been prepared for this. I don't know why he stopped going to church, but I know God was watching over him this whole time and was being prepared to come back to church. I told him that God has so much more prepared for him ahead and know God wants him to go on a mission. It was so special to arrive when he was ready. I don't know why he hadn't made it back to church before, but he's back on the path now and that fills me with joy.

That young mans name is Marco and it was so cool to see him again. That was a huge blessing from God.

Now about the baptisms. They were super cool. Elías was baptized and he's so cool. I just kept talking to him about going on the mission and he's really excited. He's 16 years old and a super miracle. In the picture you can see his nieces and nephews. Well, I had seen his niece that is super white before and was gonna talk, but I don't know why I didn't. But then I saw her again with the mom of Elías and the brother of Elías too who is super white, like whiter than me. Well, I thought he must be from another country and took the courage to talk. We got their address and everything and they are so cool. Elías went to church on his own his first time, which hardly ever happens. He's been reading in the Book of Mormon and is so cool. He reminds me of Josafat who I was actually able to see again this week. That's another huge blessing.

So the baptism went really well. It started later than ever because María Esther who is the investigator of the hermanas had to come from Lima a couple hours away. She's the lady I wrote about a couple weeks ago that came up to us and said that she's listened to the missionaries a bunch of times but could never get baptized because her work always moved her before she could. She told me that she's wanted to be baptized since she was 12 years old and now she's 47. She asked me to baptize her so I was able to baptize them both. That was really special. I've really been trying to get members to baptize, but this time it didn't work out and I was blessed. It feels so special to help others take that step towards Christ. To start on the path. To walk on through that door.

One more cool story about the family Caruajulca. They're the family where we eat. And if you remember they've had some car troubles. So I was telling them that you were praying for them and the car and everything. Then we ask if he can help us take Elías and his family to the baptism. It was all going perfectly and then we are coming down to the car with everyone and he starts saying something. Then I finally understand that the key was locked in the car. It all worked out, but took some time for the locksmith to come. And then of course that was money spent that he didn't really have to start out with. He took us and everything and then picked us up too. He wasn't going to accept my money to pay him, but then he did knowing that I wanted to pay for the locksmith too.

Now for the even cooler story. Elías had said that he didn't have a white shirt and tie so Hermano Caruajulca said he would give him one. On Sunday we did divisions and I went with Hermano Caruajulca to pick up Elías again. They had a white shirt and pants set aside, but then their son Josue said they wouldn't fit. He picked one out of his drawer and when his dad asked him if he used those pants, he told his dad to just take them. That was so cool to me so I commented it to the Hermano when we were driving. He said he loves giving and giving from his heart. Then he said he knew God would bless him tomorrow or the next day with clothes that someone else offered him. I thought that was a lot of faith and just an awesome dad who taught his children well too.

So, after church we show up to eat and he says he needs to show us something. He takes us to the bedroom and there are 4 bags FULL of clothes. He was blessed even faster than he thought. He said that in church two separate hermanas had called for him and his wife simultaneously and given him all the clothes. They have 7 kids all boys (7 Brides for 7 Brothers?) and one is married and out of the house, but the others are going strong. They said they would pick out the clothes they could use and then continue to bless other families by sharing the rest. They are such great examples to me and I love Peruvians so much. I mean, they're not all so amazing, but I'm grateful I can learn from the great Christlike things they do. I love it here and am so grateful for my mission. I feel so blessed to be able to serve among these blessed and choice people.

I continue to learn and grow each and everyday. Thanks for all the love, support, and above all else prayers. I love you all more than I could ever say.

Have the best week ever and know that you are all in my prayers!

Love your maybe half-Peruvian elder, son, brother, and best friend,Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley




Riding home in the trunk of the car -- gotta love Peru!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

CRAZINESS!!!!

Buenos Dias,

Yeah, this week flew by faster than...not really sure, just super duper fast. I've gotta do better at writing stuff down because it just all mushes together. Crazy how time just keeps playing tricks on all of us. I hope you are all having tons of fun back home too.

The only thing I wrote down was to thank Nomi for the birthday card she sent last week. It was really cool.

So now, here goes. I think the coolest things this whole week have been my experiences in the Book of Mormon. I was able to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting about the Book of Mormon and there weren't words in any language to describe my feelings. I love the Book of Mormon so much and am so grateful we can read it everyday. I called it my magical world in my talk and that's about the best I could do.

This is what I wrote President. What a great man!

In my studies this week I loved learning about the people of Limhi and how their desires that were a little too strong led them into bondage. I really liked the parts where it said when they relied on the Lord they were blessed, maybe not liberated but at least relieved for a little, but when they didn't even think of Him, they were destroyed. I'm really excited to read about Abinadi this week and learn about standing up for what's right even when no one else does it. I also learned about the importance of our leaders. It's like you said a year ago that one of your leaders told you once that the members will follow their leaders. So we always need to make sure we are a righteous example to others. In our companionship studies we continued to learn about how to extend better commitments and help the investigators keep them. There are so many people who are willing to do what we ask them in Villas so we just need to help them understand what is most important and how it can bless them.

My spiritual experience for the week was meeting Maria Esther. I was coming back from a companionship exchange and we were waiting for the other elders. This lady just came up to us and I thought she was for sure a member. Then she told us that she had almost been baptized so many times in her life but was always moved in her job when the time came. The last time she was going to get baptized on a Saturday and her work told her she had to move on Friday. She's been searching for the Church here in Ancon since April and found it a couple of weeks ago. She said she wants to be baptized so badly. She actually lives in the area of the hermanas, but works in our area. They were able to visit her this week and now she has a baptismal date. It was amazing to be able to see the happiness on someone elses face to feel like they can finally receive the blessings of a true baptism.

I went on a companionship exchange with Elder Sutherland from Redding, California this week. It was so cool to be able to make another great friend on the mission. He's just starting out and I'm so excited to him. I feel so good knowing that he is able to be part of such a great mission. Maybe things weren't exactly like I hoped or wanted when I started the mission, but I feel like God has been able to change so many things here through President Archibald and many of the missionaries. I've really been trying to give others what I wanted and that makes me feel even better than if I would have had it myself. Things here have never been terrible, but they are so much better now and I'm grateful I was able to be a part of it. It's really fulfilling and maybe that's what parenting is like. Sometimes it seems like things aren't really working out, but when we are able to give something better to those we love it feels so great.

Elder Sutherland is a total stud. We were doing a service later in the week and I hurt his finger with a metal pry bar. It scrapped off some skin, but he was a total man and didn't even say anything. I helped him clean it and he didn't even say anything when I poured alcohol on it. He's got it down when it comes to music too and you all know what that means to me. I know these next 2 years are going to be so cool for him and I'm grateful I was able to make another great friend in the mission.

We've got a lot of people who are so ready and willing to do what's right. Thanks for all the love and prayers. I love you all so much.

I hope you have the greatest week ever and enjoy the weather. It got colder this week, but I'm still doing good. It's all just so fun. I love Peru so much.

Love your boy and brother in Peru,
Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIAH!!!!!!!!

So Good!

Giving service


Cool picture of Salt Lake Valley in an old church book.

Monday, July 7, 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIAH! MIRACLES!‏

Happy Birthday Mariah!!! I hope it is the best birthday ever! You deserve the best.

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. I loved the big letter that I got, it was so great to hear from so many people. It got here with good timing too because it was the 4th of July so I read it probably when all of you were out watching some amazing fireworks. I hope you all had tons of fun for the 4th and are all enjoying the great summer weather.

I also got a letter from Aunt Kimber that day.  That's fun that they got a new dog. I hope you all (Mom, Mariah, Brianna, Aunt Kimber, Aunt Stacy, and Aunt Julie) have such a fun time in San Francisco this week. That sounds like so much fun.

This week just flew by. I had a great birthday just serving the Lord like every other day. It was great to be able to give of myself that day though. It was fun to remember 2 years ago when we were working up at Nomi and Papa's house and we ate doughnuts. Then of course how we went out for Peruvian food after. So 3 years in a row I've had Peruvian food for my birthday, I think it has now become a tradition and I'm more than happy with that.

A funny thing real quick. So there are like a billion churches all over the place in Perú. I don't know who starts them or keeps them going, but there's like a different church every block or so. One in my area is ''Casa de Job''. I mean I know he's a great guy and example to us and everything, but I just wish people were able to realize that if we worship Jesus Christ, His church should have His name. I guess that's why we're all out here though, to help them know the truth. I'm so grateful I can help others come unto Christ and live according to His gospel.

So a miracle on my birthday was the familia Felix. We were just walking and there was a family. It's a rule in our mission to contact all the families we see in the street (I don't always do it like I should, but I'm trying) and so I contacted them. He was way too cool about it and we were just talking while we were walking. So I asked for their direction and he just pointed to a house and we arrived there before I could write it down. Then I just asked if we could share a quick message and he said of course. I don't know exactly what the best part is, but it all started great when he said he was married. As we were teaching they understood more than the usual person and the 9 year old kid was way too smart when it came to authority. He just said that God isn't going to give authority to some random church, it has to come from Him. And then when we went back for the second visit he talked about the First Vision and pretty much quoted it. That was so awesome. Oh yeah, and the dad said that so many people pass by and knock the door, but he never lets them in. But with us it was different, he said that he felt lots of happiness in his heart when we started to talk with him. That was such an amazing birthday present sent from Heavenly Father.

In my studies this week I read Mosiah 7 and 8 and it was great to learn more about prophets and seers. I really liked reading the footnotes that I hadn't read before and learning in the Bible what it also says in the Book of Mormon. It continues to amaze me how the Bible and the Book of Mormon teach the same doctrine, but how much clearer it is in the Book of Mormon. And my testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and all that Joseph Smith said was strengthened as once again it all just fit together too perfectly. How all the stories are so intertwined and so perfect. 

My miracle for the week was all day yesterday. Hermano Caruajulca had offered to take a bunch of investigators to church which was so kind of him. He has two cars, his son went in one with Elder Sayoud, and I went in the other with him. As we were picking people up his car broke down. So that complicated things, but then his son came by and was able to take all of the investigators to church. We arrived a little later and they were all really happy. They all enjoyed church so much. Then at night we were going to teach a lesson and an old investigator, Jerry, came up to us. I had talked to him a bunch of times, but hadn't ever taught him. He said he wanted to talk with us and so my companion asked him when he was going to get baptized, which he has asked him a couple of times already, but this time was different. He said that he had prayed and felt that he needed to be baptized. So then my companion invited him to get baptized this Saturday and he accepted. He's already been interviewed a couple of times, but every time he bailed. My companion said that this time he was different. So we went inside to teach him right there in the house of a member family that are his neighbors. I felt something really special too and know that God is preparing His children to accept His gospel and receive His blessings. It was amazing how it all worked out.  I know that God does work miracles.

We are seeing so many miracles here in Villas de Ancón. I love it so much. Things are going well with Elder Sayoud. We are both trying to change and become better missionaries. It's amazing and I'm so grateful to be with him.

So, Hermano Caruajulca that offered to take us to church is also the family that feeds us. His car broke down like 3 times last week and I know it's so hard on him, but he keeps trying his best. I'm so grateful that we can help that family too and for the amazing help they are to us. There are so many kind people here.  I love Perú.

Hermana Charo fasted on Saturday without an invitation or anything, she just did it. She's so amazing and we taught her a little better how to fast. Also, Matt, the guy we baptized a couple of weeks ago moved to Chile. That was kind of sad, but then he said that his mom had told him that she lives two doors down from the church in Chile so that should be awesome for him and I hope the missionaries in Chile can baptize his family.

Thanks again for all of the love, support, and prayers. Have the best week ever and know that you are all in my prayers.
Love your happy missionary in Perú,
Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley

The most American cereal I could find for my birthday breakfast!


Elder Scheiss and I.  We had companionship exchanges.