I'm
so looking forward to the fireworks down here and all the loud noises.
They do like bombs and stuff, so I'll take a video that you all can see,
it's really awesome, and I'm sure horrible for the atmosphere.
Bienvenidos a Perú (welcome to Perú). Gotta love it.
So this week was absolutely jam packed full of awesomeness and I hope you enjoy my take on things.
The
greatest part of the week hands down, turn around, all that jazz was
talking with my family on Skype. You all look so amazing and I love you
so much. It's funny though how nervous I was to talk to you all. I mean,
I walk up to complete strangers and knock random doors, but calling my
own family gets me nervous, I'm gonna work on that one. I just was so
excited to see you all and it was more than I could have dreamed of. I
love writing you every week, but nothing compares to seeing your
beautiful faces.
That reminds me. For those of you that haven't seen
my face in a while, well funny story. So we had to get our hair cut and
all the places were full. Finally we settled for a place that costs way
too much. I told her I liked it pretty short and that's where it all
went downhill. She just went to town. She started on the sides and I was
like, oh well, it's done now. She then went to the top and too much
again. Then I thought she was just going to go around the ears, but she
didn't. I got a hack job. I just was thinking the whole time about the
story from my dad's mission where the guy sitting next to him just kept
saying ''too short''. It's really nice in the heat though even though I
did get a little burned. Gotta love the fun experiences.
We had some awesome activities in the ward this week
including a parrillada (grill) that brought more people than the
regular sacrament meeting attendance, Christmas day there was fútbol and
ceviche (which I didn't get to eat, we're not allowed and a member of
the mission presidency lives in our ward), but the best was Christmas
going around to the kids and giving out Christmas presents along with
some panetón. It was really special and united our ward so much. We
destroyed it this week in Sacrament Meeting with so many people and I
love it here so much.
One of the most special parts of Christmas was
Christmas Eve which was our p-day and we got to be together as a zone. We ate
so much pizza and I was stuffed full for one of the first times on my
mission (PizzaPie Café, Imma comin). Then my companion had the amazing
idea to have a testimony meeting. He said it was the assistants who had
suggested it, but it really was just an amazing idea from him. I felt
the Spirit so strong and remembered so much about what I have learned on
the mission. He talked about Galatians 6:17 where it talks about the
marks that Paul carries to remind him of Christ. He said they are the
scars we all have and I thought about the scars I have received in this
life and even more on the mission. Not only physically, but mentally,
emotionally, and even spiritually. We're not perfect and we're not
whole, but we will be someday. Those scars might never fully heal in
this life, but I rejoice knowing that one day we will all be made whole
and perfect again and they will be taken away. But for now I too rejoice
in the scars that I have received serving my Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
We had an awesome baptism this week with freezing
cold water as usual. It was Alex the son of Lucy who was baptized last
month. He escaped us like 3 times for his interview, but we finally met with
him. He's just a little kid that loves playing with his friends more
than he remembers his interviews though and so innocent. He understands
it all so well and is the bomb. It was really special too because Rocío,
the lady that knocked on the church gate, was baptized too. She was
taught by the hermanas, but is still one of the coolest stories from my
mission and I'm grateful I was able to be a part of her story. The other
baptism was a kid named Vasilay, he's the son of a recent convert and
counted for the ward, but wanted me to baptize him. He was so awesome.
The water was freezing, but he didn't even complain one bit. He jumped
out of the water and was just so happy. That's such a great example to
me. What a stud.
Then Sunday we get to church and I'm sitting there
and the bishop says I'm going to confirm Alex a member of the Church.
I've never done that before and it came out of the blue, but it was so
special. I feel so blessed to hold the Priesthood of God and be able to
bless other peoples lives. That's something I'm never going to forget.
I read ''Jesus Christ-Gifts and Expectations'' by
President Ezra Taft Benson this week and it was absolutely amazing. It's
so crazy how much things change when we are happy and loving life, than
when we are going through trials. I know hard times will come again,
but I'm just loving life right now.
I wouldn't trade the hard times either, but this is extra special. I
just felt several times this week how special it is to be able to be a
servant of Jesus Christ during this time of year and love being able to
testify of Him and His restored gospel. I love the mission so much and
love Perú. It's not the most beautiful, but this is my Waters of Mormon.
I'm learning to love the people, the culture, and the language and am
so grateful to be here. I love Perú!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I finished el Libro de Mormón this week and am so
grateful I was able to read it in Spanish. I learned so much and love
that book more than I can ever express. But now all I want to do is read
it again. I'm going to read the Book of Mormon again this year before
my birthday. I'm going to read 3 pages a day and want to invite any and
all that want to join me on this amazing adventure. I just thought it
would be a fun way again to feel close to all of you. Let me know what
you all decide!
I'm loving it with Elder Herrera right now. We are
being so blessed. He's most likely going to go home around the 15th of
January for knee problems. It's only one transfer early, but I'm sure
gonna miss him. Keep him in your prayers please. We are being so blessed
and I'm learning to be lots more patient. Heavenly Father is so good to
us and I can feel your prayers in our behalf. Thanks so much!!!!
I love you all more than words. Have the Happiest
New Years ever and know I'm thinking about and praying for all of you.
Thanks for all of your love and support. Talk to you next week/next
year. Gotta love those jokes. See you all soon!!!
Love your happier than ever in Perú, New Year partying, good looking, best friend forever and ever,
Elder Aaron Micah Wheatley
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