Elder Ripley - New Companion!

Hey Fam!
How is everyone?
This week has been crazy! There's been alot going on. I'm pretty bumbed out to let you all know that the people I talked about in the last e mail that all seemed ready for baptism have met alot of opposition. We've been doing the best we can to meet their needs and help them recognize the blessings that are in store for them but it's all come down to what they choose to do so we'll just have to see what happens.
At the start of the week me and Elder Galindo were spending alot of time in areas we haven't worked alot in, searching for people who are ready for the gospel. In the searching process we found two or three pretty cool people. One of them was the very first person I've met so far in Mexico with the last name of Aguilar! I've met some with the second last name of Aguilar (or their mother's maiden name) but this was the first real fellow Aguilar I've been able to find. His name is Sinuhe Aguilar and he is huge! I mean he looks about like the Russian guy in Rocky 4 except not quite as tall. He looks like he spends plenty of time at the gym. He's also got tons of tattoos, and when we knocked on his door I was a little scared. But he's a super cool guy. He's excited to come check out the church and told us how he's recognized in his life that the things that are truly from God have a special feeling that comes with like the feeling he gets when he spends time with his family or thinks about the Savior (sweet). So he's probably not going to have a tough time recognizing the spirit when he prays.
Anyway, I'm sure you could all note from the last e mail that the week before was a little stressful. The start of this week was as well. I was feeling like we just couldn't quite get the Spirit there in our lessons with us and it was easy to see the differences in the results of the work. I really felt like something needed to change. Thursday night I finished saying my prayers and I just kept thinking about the area and what I could do. Just then the phone rang and it was one of the Assistants. He let us know we had changes, and that Elder Galindo was going to be moving to Zamora the next morning. He let me know a new elder had been delayed in the MTC and had just arrived to the mission, and that I would be training. Friday we went and picked up my new companion Elder Ripley, and he's awesome! He's super faithful, and just ready to work hard. He did get sick his first day which was too bad but he got over it quick and now we're going full force! I feel great about what's going to be happening in the next few weeks.
On Saturday we held a stake activity and put on a play with all the missionaries as actors. The play was Lehi's dream. I was the angel, Elder Ripley was Laman, and my old companion Elder Moberg was a dark mist. We took some pretty sweet pictures of me and Elder Moberg dueling because we looked like a good wizard and a bad wizard from Harry Potter. I know, we're both major dorks, but it was pretty fun. There was also a giant dancing Book of Mormon for while the people showed up that was played by Elder Ricks, who's about six foot eight.
Last Monday we were looking for some speakers for Elder Garcia's church music and some people came into Radio Shack while we were looking around. I guess since there were four guys wearing the same thing walking around the store, they thought we were workers. They asked Elder Garcia a question, and without hesitation he showed them around and ended up getting a pretty nice sale. They never recognized that we didn't really work there.
Anyway, Thanks for all your letters and support. Love you all!
Dad- Thanks for your comments on learning and doing my best. That's too bad about Uncle Arben. You'll have to keep me updated and let me know how he's doing. I got my package from the fam and the card was in there safe and sound. The pictures of persie are awesome by the way. Thanks for everything! Love ya.
Denny- Sweet that you've done tons of camping lately. Fun! I can't wait to go on those trips again after I get home. Love you denny o!
Mom- I got my contacts and my card. It's probably easier not to send stamps but I have started sending out letters to people finally. I sent five last Monday and I'm sending more soon. Thanks for your advice and that quote from sister Hinckley I loved it! I love you Mom!
Dig- That's sweet you guys hit up Fat Jacks! Sweet. That's cool Koby hasn't cut his hair still. Haha. He's gonna look awesome when I get back. I just hope his mom and dad don't get too mad. Love ya dig!
Shash- Sounds like you had tons of fun with Halee and Holly! That's too bad you hurt your foot again though. Love you Sloosh!
Nay- It sounds like hiking the mountain was sweet! haha. You'll have to tell me about the Snow College trip because I don't know what you would do there. Sweet job on soccer captain! Love ya!
Bam- I got your package and thanks for the pictures! I can't wait to look through them all when I get home! Love ya!


Love you all!
Elder Dallas Robert Aguilar

Hey Fam!!!
How is everybody? This week has been rough! We've been searching everywhere for more people to teach and we've found a ton of cool people but none of them are really ready to change their lives. They all like to talk with us and stuff but none of them want to read the scriptures or come to church or anything and it's getting a little frustrating! But I'm learning a ton everyday so it's ok.
This week we were going through our area book looking for old investigators from companionships that have been in this area in the past. We noticed a few that already had baptismal dates but things just didn't end up happening so we went by to visit them. One lady named Doris I recognized I had talked to once before when I first arrived with Elder Moberg. At that time she told us she just wasn't interested in the church. When we checked with her this time she said we could come back the next day to share a message with her. We came back the next day and she was on her way out the door and asked if we could come back the next day. We went back the next day and she said she was busy babysitting and asked if we could come back the next day and have lunch (she was going to invite her brother and his family to have lunch with us as well, who are members in the other ward that attends church in the same building as us). We went back the next day having decided that it was probably the last time we'd be able to go by since we'd kind of been losing time traveling and stuff without sharing or serving. When we got there she asked if we could come back in about an hour since her brother hadn't arrived still. We said sure and turned to leave to begin contacting on the street. Just after we turned around she said "oh wait I had a question." We turned back around, just as she asked "when can I get baptized?" We were a little stunned, and I just said "Whenever you want." Then she suggested we do it in a month. My companion then said this coming week would be better. She said that would be fine. It was pretty sweet to see that the teachings of the missionaries didn't really bring about any results, but when she was left to search for the truth on her own, she recieved a testimony from the Spirit.
The other day we were contacting in an apartment complex when we came across a little bible discussion group. It turns out they're all just one family that was just raised with a major focus on religion. Two of the kids of the family have studied the bible for so long they literally almost have it memorized. Their father hasn't studied quite as much but he's some sort of philosopher so in their family they have good three hour long discussions on philosophy and religion every day. Pretty crazy! It was pretty fun to talk with them about the church, and they were all willing to read the Book of Mormon and pray, we'll see how it turns out.

So this week I was getting a little frustrated with alot of things that were going on. We had one day when a sister in the ward gave us our food to go, so we went and ate it at the house. We get an hour for lunch but we ate in about five minutes because we were starving, then my companion fell asleep. I'm pretty sure he's not supposed to do that but he was sick that day so I decided to read a couple of dear elders. As I was reading the letters from the fam I started to recognize some blessings I'd forgotten about, and also some things that I could change to be more like Christ. All the letters talked about how proud my family is of me, and I remembered that when Elder Bednar came he said that we should always strive to be the missionaries that our mothers think we are. I started to wonder if I was as great of a missionary as my mother thinks I am, and I started to get a little down. I haven't had any experiences like Ammon, or broken any crazy baptism records or anything, and alot of times that seems like the only set way for me to tell if I'm doing what I'm supposed to as a mssionary. Since my companion was asleep I decided to pray about it and ask Heavenly Father if he was proud of me as a missionary. After my prayer I grabbed the Book of Mormon and opened it up, hoping for one of those little "it was the first scripture I found" type of miracles. But the first scripture I looked at said something about the amount of years that a certain war lasted or something like that. I laughed a little and decided I shouldn't be asking the Lord for miracles but should just continue in the work with faith. Just as I thought that I looked at the next chapter and read the second verse that I found. This time it seemed like it was a direct answer to my prayer. I read Alma 29:1-10,17. I decided that I should stop worrying about being perfect and just keep trying to be the best me I can be. I've definitely still got a ton to work on, but hopefully if I can remember to do the Lord's will and put my life in His hands, my heart can be purified bit by bit through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Dad- Thanks for the e-mail dad! It sounds like you and dig had quite the experience on the river. That's crazy. That's awesome what you told me about what Bro. Anderson said. I'm glad I grew up in a ward with such great examples to look up to. Speaking of the ward I'm getting a letter out to Bro. Lauber asap. I didn't get changed this time once again, so I guess I've still got someone to find and help before I can move on to a different area. Thanks for everything Dad! Love ya.
Denny- That's sweet that you got to go see your old buddys in the old ward! As far as your question about your class, I would decide based on which friends will be in each class, because that can really make a difference in who you hang out with after school and stuff too. Anyway, Love you Denny-o
Nay- I can't believe you threw up eleven times from that flu or whatever! That stinks! I'm glad you got better fast. That's so sweet you went kite surfing!!! That'd be awesome! I haven't gotten any letters from your friends yet but I have noticed that regular letters take forever to get here! I don't know why! I just barely got that one that you sent me like a month ago. But anyway, thanks for your letters! Love you Nay!
Shash- You got your ears pierced!? Crazy! That's sweet all that stuff that was there in Idaho. Sounds like it was a blast! Love you Sloosh!
Dig- I can't believe you had a near death experience on the river! Don't do stuff like that anymore till I get home man! I gotta still have my brothers to hang out with when I get back! But it does sound like you guys had a good time there in lava. haha. Love you dig!
Mom- Thanks for the stuff you said about testimony meetings and the old bishopric. I love that scripture that talks about remembering spiritual experiences we've had in the past to keep strengthening our testimonies. I can't remember where it is but I can tell you next week. It sounds like that's probably a good idea your new way of letting the kids sort out the arguments at home. Just remind them of 3 Ne 11:29 every once in a while! haha. Just kidding. But anyway. Thanks for everything mom. I love you!
Love you all!
Elder Dallas Robert Aguilar

Nirvanna & Griselda

Hey Fam!

How is everyone? This week has been pretty good. We've continued searching for more people who are ready for the gospel, and we've been finding a few. This week I got to go do divisions with Elder Moberg over in his area while his companion came over to our area to see if my new companion has learned the area well enough yet. That sounds a little bit like I might have changes coming up this Sunday but we'll wait and see. While I was with Elder Moberg it was pretty fun. Their area is alot different than ours. Our area is all flat and jam packed with a million houses, their area is basically one mountain with more spread out sections of houses. Their roads are all dirt and stuff and it was raining that day so we were slipping alot in the mud it was pretty cool. It was also neat to meet all their investigators and see all how the gospel has been changing lives over there too. We got to teach a family out in a little field with a view over the whole city of Guadalajara. The little area where we were at is right towards the top of the mountain. There's just a little section with scattered trees and little ponds, and we got to teach them sitting on these giant red rocks it was sweet. We were teaching them about the Plan of Salvation when suddenly a lady ran up to us with her two sons and asked if we could give her son a blessing. She turned out to be a member from the ward over there. Her son had fallen and broken his nose on a rock and she was getting ready to run him to the hospital when she saw us. We found a little area between a few trees where we were able to give him a blessing and then go back to the lesson. It was a pretty neat experience and reminded me of the more of the good things that come from always living worthily to act in the name of the Lord, so that when others are in need of help from the Priesthood they won't be witheld from any blessings.


At the start of the week we swung by Rodolfo's house to see how he was doing and to teach some things to his son. There was a lady out in front of his house talking with his mom, and we started to talk to her for a while. We talked about the Book of Mormon and then she asked us a few things about the mission. When Rodolfo came over to the conversation he started talking aobut when he was searching for a church to join and told the lady that our eyes just look different like they have more light, which is why he decided to listen to the missionaries and later recieved a testimony through the Holy Ghost. It was pretty neat to see someone testify so strongly just a few days after their baptism. It's awesome how much the Holy Ghost can teach people.


We found out just a little bit ago that a new family moved into the ward and was feeling a little nervous about coming to church. It turned out that the daughter and her mother (Nirvanna and Griselda) weren't baptized but the daughter just turned eight last saturday and we held baptismal services for them both. On Sunday we were up on the stand to stand in for the confirmations of Rodolfo, Leo, Griselda,and Nirvanna. The bishopric normally does the confirmations and we just stand in but when it was time for Nirvanna's confirmation the bishop told me it was my turn to confirm. I was scared out of my mind because I didn't know he was going to ask me and I've never confirmed anyone before (let alone in Spanish). But it went well.


This week we went to a little chocolate factory some members own to drop of some supplies for them to pass out. Another member that just got home from his mission not too long ago also works there. He said he was done working and wanted to walk towards our next appointment with us. While we were walking back we passed this construction sight that has been there since I arrived in the area. Suddenly the member from the ward yelled over to a man standing in the construction zone and asked if we could come in to the construction area. I thought that was weird but we went over to the gate and the man let us in. He said his name was Armando,and his job is to live on the construction zone to keep an eye on the equipment. The Brother from the ward introduced us as the missionaries and asked if we could share a message. We shared the Restoration with him over by his little trailer and challenged him to read in the Book of Mormon and pray. While we were walking away my companion and I felt pretty dumb for not recognizing the man before who seemed so ready for the gospel and decided we needed to pay more attention in the streets. We went back a couple of days later to talk to him and he let us know he read and prayed and recieved an answer that it was the truth and we put a baptismal date for him. It was cool to be able to talk to him for a little because he lives alone with no neighbors and he seems in great need of the Saviors love.


Anyway that's been the week. Love you all! Thanks for your support!


Nay- I was looking through my english hymn book the other day and the title of number 233 reminded me of you. Haha. That's awesome about the new stuff in soccer! I wish I could be there to see your games it sounds like it's gonna be a great year! Does it feel weird with so many more people leaving on missions all the time? By the way the six months has gone fast but it still seems like I haven't seen the fam in ages. As far as the Mexican bag or something don't worry about money I'll get you something sweet! Love you Nay! have a good week!


Mom- Thanks for letting me know about the package. Don't worry I'm eating fine, I just haven't needed to spend alot of money. Thanks for watching over my room for me. I was getting a little teary eyed at that part of your e mail right in front of all these people at the internet place but it's ok. haha. That's super true all that stuff you said about Dad. He's an awesome example to me. I love you mom! have a great week!


Dad- I don't remember the boardwalk crash incident but it sounds like it was funny! haha. Sounds like the barbeque at gram's was pretty awesome. I think the things I miss the most from home are days like those. Sweet job on your tri! Third place over all! Awesome! That's also true the stuff you said about Mom. She takes way good care of our fam and I've come to appreciate it more on the mission. Anyway. Love you dad! Have a good week!


Shash- That stinks what happened to your foot! I bet Jazz Attitude will be even harder now with the injury! But I'm glad it's fun for ya! Love you Sloosh, have a good week!


Dig- Your e mail was hilarious! haha. I was cracking up! Sweet job on the backflip and congrats about Spain! Thanks for that story about the urge to go check on Shash that was pretty cool. Love you Dig! Have a good week!


Den- 70 mosquito bites on one leg? Crazy! Wanna know how to say mosquito in Spanish? Mosquito. Keep workin on those tramp tricks it sounds like you're already way better than I ever was! Good luck with your first over nighter! it'll be a blast! Love you den! have a good week!


Love you all! thanks for your letters and dear elders and most of all your prayers!!!


Elder Dallas Robert Aguilar


Sorry this one is so slow getting posted - we were out of town.

Rodolfo's Baptism

Hey Fam!
This e mail will probably be the shortest of my mission because we had to clean our house again today to send pictures to the President so I only have about five minutes to type. This week went really well. We're really starting to see alot of results from the new style of searching for people who need the gospel. I had a great Fourth of July. I got to baptize Rodolfo, and my companion baptized his son. Cool way to spend America's birthday! Anyway. I really apologize the e mail is so short but it'll be alot longer next week for sure!
Dad- Sounds like the fourth of july party in the new ward was pretty sweet! That's funny that you ended up running into Ben Ama with work and all. That's awesome to hear about Bob and Kathy! I loved your thoughts on the other viewpoints of the Plan of Salvation too. I've definitely learned alot from seeing things out of the eyes of another country like you said. Love you Dad!
Dig- You keep an eye on that Sam fellow no matter how many times Nay says he's not her man. Sweet job on the mile swim! I'm jealous you got to do the fishing merit badge! I never had a chance to do that one at a camp. Love ya Dig!
Nay- Yes I do know JD. I actually went on a double date with Karli, him, and Candace one time and it was super fun! Soccer camp sounds like it was sweet! You're really tearing it up with soccer nay I wish I could be there to see it! I love hearing about all that stuff! Your story about the oven was awesome! Love ya Nay!
Mom- Thanks for letting me know about the package. As far as the pictures. Hilda is the one that's in the baptismal dress with the lighter hair. Liliana is the shorter one with the black and white shirt and the other two people with her are brother and sister Lopez. I'll send the pictures from Rodolfo's baptism next week! Love you Mom!
Shash- I LOVED your e mail sloosh! I was cracking up when you reminded me of Tanner and the trampoline and the name that Sara wrote down on the fourth of july! haha. I love you Shashy!
Denny o- HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY!!! I'm going to send a big package in a couple months with stuff for you and the others for their birthdays. I can't believe you got an iTouch too! That's sweet you got a marvel heroes game! we have to play it when I get home!
Love you all!!!
Elder Dallas Robert Aguilar

Feliz Navidad :)

Elder Aguilar & Elder Moberg in luchador masks

Elder Gilando & Elder Aguilar soaking wet

Either Hilda or Liliana's Baptism

Ditto

Maybe one of these ladies is Hilda or Liliana

Hey Fam!
How are you all? This week has gone a little better for us. We're still searching out more people who are ready for the gospel and it's tough but we're finally starting to see some results. Hopefully with in a week or two everything will be going smoothly in the area.
Anyway, so this week we went by the house of a family (the Sarabias) in the ward to see how they were doing. Last week when we were eating lunch with them and Sister Sarabia let us know that after lunch they were going to the doctor to find out if she had cancer. It was pretty hard to finish lunch with them because we just felt anxious and nervous for her. But anyway, this last monday we went by to see how she was doing. We shared a message with her and then asked if there was anything we could do for her while we were there. She said she wanted to show us her test results from the doctor. She brought out some papers and had my companion start to read. He read that where she was having the pains they had found about a three inch tumor that was really aggressive and dangerous. He then read a second test on the same tumor that confirmed the results of the first. He then read a third test that they had done to scan her whole body for signs of cancer. At this point we were all feeling pretty stressed of coarse, because if the first tumor was so aggressive it was pretty possible there would be more. The third test, however, showed no signs of cancer. The did a fourth test to re check for the tumor they had found originally, and it was gone! Sister Sarabia told us that after the second test she had prayed and truly humbled herself, committing her life to the will of the Lord, and later recieved two blessings, one from her son and the other from the bishop. She said after the blessings the pains she'd been having had left and she wasn't sure why, but then the tests showed that she's now healthy as can be, no sign of cancer anywhere. It was a pretty cool experience to hear about.
This last tuesday we went by with Marco and Beatrice and watched a video with them, "In the Hands of the Master," the one with the violin. It was pretty cool to see it in spanish for my first time. After the video we both bore our testimonies about the blessings we've recieved having our lives in the hands of the Lord. The topic of baptism came up while my companion was talking, and he asked how they felt lately about baptism. Beatrice said she was ready for baptism and knows the church is true, she just doesn't want to have to give talks in sacrament... I was pretty bummed. I let her know that talks were the last thing she should be worrying about, and that she should remember that this is their opportunity to start in the path towards an eternal family. They didn't take my comments very seriously, so I decided not to say anymore. Before we were about to leave Marco asked for a blessing because he had been sick for a few days. We said that would be fine of coarse, and gave him a blessing. After the blessing Beatrice was crying, and said she didn't know why, but she just felt the spirit strongly and started to cry. We headed home feeling a little confused about what to do. They both have really strong testimonies, but maybe it's just not their time right now.
The other night we went to visit a brother in the ward (Brother Lee) who recently had a stroke. He's a little bit loopy now but he loves our visits so we go by every week or two to share a message with him and his wife when we're on divisions. This last time I went with a brother from the ward, and neither Brother or Sister Lee recognized me. Brother Lee doesn't hear very well so we all have to shout the whole time while we're there so he feels included. He asked me what my name was after we shared the message, so I told him "Elder Aguilar" to which he replied "Feliz Navidad" (or Merry Christmas). We all laughed a little.
Well the weather down here is pretty much perfect, the day time ranges from about seventy to eighty degrees in the day time and sticks at about seventy two in the night. Recently it's been raining a ton every night after we're in the house, but the other day it started up before we had made it home and we got super soaked! it was pretty sweet. And the streets were flooded so every time a car would come by we'd get nailed with a big wave.
Me and my new companion are still getting along fine, this is the start of the fourth week for this change so I guess he's not my new companion anymore but I haven't really mentioned anything about him yet in the e mails. He's from about two hours north of here by car. He's twenty six years old. He's got a really different accent that's hard to understand, which has helped my spanish alot because it makes everyone else really easy to understand. He's a good missionary and recognizes the importance of having the Spirit in our lessons, and never tries to teach without the guidance of the Spirit so our lessons have been going really well. Anyway that's a little about my comp.
So all my friends back home are getting their mission calls! Cristobal man you're going to have a blast down there in San Fernando, my teacher in the MTC served near there and from the stories he told us it's a pretty incredible area to be in as a missionary. Jace Broadbent will actually be serving in the mission where my companion is from! My comp said the strawberries up there are the best in the world so that'll be sweet. Seth is going to Cali too huh? What part? haha. That's awesome that he gets to learn Spanish too. And Fui in New York, that's sweet. And TANNER! (I don't know if you read these e mails so if not hopefully my parents can tell you to read this one) Dude I think that mission call really reflects what a strong guy you are Spiritually. I can't even imagine the kind of blessings you're going to recieve while your serving down ther in Bolivia, and for the rest of your life as a result of your service. Man you're going to change the world for alot of people there with the gospel message. I can't wait to get to talk with you all about our missions after and in Spanish! I'm super excited for you dude. You're such a good example to me!
Anyway family, I'm finally sending some pictures this week, but I only have like three or four new ones. Don't worry I'll take more soon!
Shash- I can't believe your story about swimming! Is your foot ok? I hope so! I love you Sloosh! Have a good week! Thanks for your e mails!
Mom- Thanks for keeping me updated about all my friends and their mission calls. You'll have to let me know where JD gets his call to this week. Are you going to send those pictures of Dig and Pers in the package? That would be sweet. Is Persie still happy and healthy? Thanks for letting me know about the contacts. Also I was wondering if you could maybe send me some music in the package if it's not already sent... I would love to have the Prince of Egypt sound track and maybe some music from some Baptist choirs. I know that's a little random and if you can't get anything like that it's fine, but if you can I'd love it! I've been listening to Draper Sisters since I got Bam's package by the way. Oh I'm attaching pictures from Hilda's and Liliana's baptisms and one of me and my comp when we got home soaked in the rain. I'm also sending one of me and Elder Moberg in our luchador masks because I can't remember if I sent it already before. Anyway, thanks for your dear elders and e mails mom. I love getting dear elders from you because I never really know when they'll get here so it's always an awesome surprise! I love you Mom! Have a good week!
Dig- I can't believe Tanner really gave you his iTouch! You're a lucky guy. Be sure to share it with Den and Shash every once and a while so you don't get addicted to it and turn into a robot or something. So you're a Spain fan for the World cup huh? Mexico is out now too. They lost to Argentina really bad yesterday. We were walking in the street while the game was on and there was literally not a single person anywhere! All the stores were closed and everything because they were all watching the game. You'd think we were in like a ghost town or something, but when Mexico scored their only goal the whole city exploded with screaming and cheering and fireworks and stuff. But after the game everyone was really sad. Haha. Anyway, Love you Dig! Have a good week!
Dad- Thanks for keeping me updated on Tanner. That's awesome you guys still get to see him so often. Let him know I think his idea about the taco stand reunions sounds like a perfect idea to me! haha. That's cool that you and Den can just cross the street and practice golf at the park. That's fine that you're borrowing my clubs by the way, feel free! Sounds like your talk on Joseph Smith went really well. It seems to me that usually when people give talks that are really guided by the Spirit they say the same things after like you said, that they're not really sure what they talked about exactly, so I bet your talk was awesome! Sounds like mom's was really good too. Thanks for your testimony on the Priesthood also, and thanks for always being a great example to me as a worthy Priesthood holder. Love you Dad, have a great week!
Den- That's sweet that your still working on golf! You should keep it up so you can really become a pro at it. I never really had the patience to develope a talent really well, but when I get home from my mission I'm going to start practicing the banjo or something so I can have a cool talent. I hope it's not too late to start! Anyway, love you denny o! Have a great week!
Nay- I'm stoked to get your letter in the mail! So your off at soccer camp right now I guess. You'll have to let me know how it went! Thanks for that story about the tuna. Haha, I laughed a ton. There's a weird fruit here called tuna that's super good. It tastes like a kiwi only sweeter. Anyway, that's sweet that you ended up getting your purse back! Did that lady make you guys pay her? Anyway, Love you Nay. Have a great week!
Love you all! Thanks for everything!
Elder Dallas Robert Aguilar