Thank you so
much for all of the pictures and the emails. It was so comforting to
just hear and see about all that´s going on. I´m so grateful that you
could all receive the comfort from the Comforter and keep moving
forward. That´s so amazing that Papa was able to eat and have a great
time with you all. I am praying for you all constantly. I fasted
yesterday for you all (joining in the family fast 2 weeks late) and I
know Heavenly Father is strengthening us. I have never felt like
this in my life. It´s the craziest, I just don´t know. The mission is
like nothing else.
I am so excited for Hillary.
ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I actually am sitting next to an Elder
Maimo who is from the Resistencia Mission. Have the best of times
visiting Iguasu Falls (or however you spell that). Also, Elder Dane
Taylor´s there and he´s a stud. She wrote me a couple of weeks ago and
I´ll write her back, but I just wanted to write some advice for her and
all other people preparing to go on missions. I can´t even describe the
feelings that you will go through. It is the biggest roller-coaster ride
of your life. I feel the only way you can prepare yourself is to live
worthy of the Holy Ghost. It seems so simple, but really if you have the
Holy Ghost everything else will come. Don´t become discouraged when you
can´t speak because it´s just a fact, or really anything else hard.
This week I let my brain get the better of me a couple of times and I
really have learned that becoming discouraged only makes things worse.
Stay positive and happy. When you don´t feel like you feel the Spirit
search for it (or should I say) seek and ye shall find. I promise you
the Spirit will be with you because it has been with me.
The other thing I would suggest is read all of The
Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel before you leave. I know it´s really
hard, because I didn't finish Preach My Gospel. I promise you though if you
study The Book of Mormon everyday a different spirit will enter your
life. (That goes for everyone). I love the Book of Mormon more than I
could ever express and am so grateful I can read it and pray to my
loving Heavenly Father. I think a mission is something you just have to
experience. The other thing is when you have a hard day and are close to
hating something, just remember so many people have felt the same as
you. Talk to all those around you who have served missions before and
ask them all the questions. Ask them what was harder than anything and
why it was worth it. Ask them what they loved more than anything and how
much love they felt. I promise you a mission is worth whatever
sacrifice you need to make either before or during your mission.
I wanted to share a couple of scriptures I found
really helpful this week. Doctrine and Covenants 42:44-46 and Doctrine
and Covenants 59:15-20.
Some other crazy things
from this week. Here in Perú there is this thing which is called
Panetón. It´s pretty much just glorified fruitcake and it´s everywhere. I
guess Christmas really isn´t that different down here after all. I´m
laughing just thinking about all the crazy things people eat. It´s not
bad, but where did it come from? We may never know.
We were contacting this week and this person said
´´how are you? hello.´´ all the usual. I´m learning to just embrace
being a gringo. So I said to him that my companion isn't a gringo, but
that I was. The other guy sitting there started to speak in English but I
didn't really understand. I thought he was just joking around too, but
then he didn't stop. I realized THIS MAN HAS A SOUTHERN DRAWL!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, I about cried. It was so amazing. He was from Georgia and we
talked for a couple of minutes. I really can´t even describe the joy
that brought me. I mean, a southern drawl for real? I've never been so
happy to hear one before in my life though. It´s just a tender mercy
from God to allow me to talk with someone in English (even if it is
practically a different language in the south).
Really this week has just been a week of growth. I
have learned more than I ever thought possible. I was tried by so many
things but always Heavenly Father rescued me when I thought I couldn't
go a step further. It´s amazing to me that one good thing can erase all
the hard that has happened. That one thing is feeling the Spirit and
allowing the Atonement into our lives.
I found out that I´m going to be transferred to an
area called Faucett. I really don´t know too much, but of course it´s
farther north in my mission. I´ll take lots of pictures with my new
companion and the new area when I get there. I am really going to miss
the people of Fiori. I feel like there are so many miracles just waiting
to happen there, but I know I have learned what I needed to and I am
being sent to where the Lord needs me. I feel peace again just knowing
that His will is being done.
I hope you all have an amazing week. It´s so great
to hear that you are enjoying all the time you are given. That´s really
how we all need to live life. I´m learning to love being a missionary. I
really do love my mission. I think I´ll understand it all more with
time. It´s so fun to see you all having a great time at the house. What
an amazing blessing from God that house is and I am also grateful to
hear the news about Wallace Lane. I´m so happy that someone else can
love that house as we all did.
Send my love to everyone and give them all hugs and
some kisses too. I am so grateful for all of your examples. Your
strength keeps me going everyday. Knowing that you have all gone before
me and trusted in the Lord (especially all you who have served
missions). I love you all so much. I´m praying for you and know more
than ever that God is our loving Heavenly Father. He is always watching
over us and wants to bless us.
Love you more than words can say,
Elder Aaron Wheatley
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