Week 3

Hey Fam!



How is everyone? I have a ton to say this week and not much time as usual so if things don't make sense or if they're a little sloppy or if I don't answer some questions I'm sorry.
First of all, to clarify a little about the President Uchtdorf story: I room with my companion (elder portuese) and another companionship (elder tibbits and elder newell). Elder tibbits and elder newell are the only ones who got to see President Uchtdorf, and we think it has something to do with the fact that elder newell's dad works for the church but we're not sure.
Ok, many people have been asking about my daily schedule so here it goes. We wake up at six thirty and go to bed at ten thirty every day. We get a half hour each morning to prepare for the day, and a half hour each night to prepare for bed. We get about forty minutes per meal. We get a fifty minute gym period every day but sunday and thursday (p day). All other time is spent either learning from our teachers, or studying from the scriptures. So I can easily spend around two hours in the scriptures and preach my gospel daily, if not more, and we have about six hours from the teachers each day, plus an hour of personal language study. Busy busy! There are some change ups in our schedule on certain days, each sunday and tuesday we have a devotional. each monday morning we do a service project, each wednesday night we get to do teaching scenarios, Each sunday we have sacrament etc., and each thursday of coarse we get to go to the temple and do our laundry and mail. After our devotionals on sundays we actually get to watch a movie. So far we've seen Legacy, The Joseph Smith movie, and The Testaments. Last sunday we had a special musical devotional fireside thing, where a handful missionaries got to go up to the microphone and say what they're favorite hymn was and why, then we'd all sing a verse from that hymn. The spirit was incredible, then watching the testaments after was like icing on the cake.
I mentioned our teaching scenarios each wednesday night. Basically we go into a replicated living room, where a person (may or may not be a member) is there as an "investigator." We then talk with the investigator, find out a little about them, and teach them what we feel they need to hear in order to feel the spirit the most.
This last wednesday (last night) we had an investigator who was raised catholic. It was going pretty well and the spirit was there, and we were really seeming to communicate with him well. As we explained the plan of salvation and the Priesthood and baptism and things, he said "so you're telling me that the priest that baptized me doesn't have the priesthood? and not only that but your saying the pope doesn't even have that true authority from God?" I wasn't sure what to say because we had already explained the apostasy and the need for a restoration, so I just said "...yes" to which he replied "Wow, that's a big deal, I guess that's important to know" we proceeded to challenge him to continue reading the Book of Mormon, and to let us come by the next day to tell him what he needed to do to be baptized by the proper priesthood authority, and he accepted. I know that's probably kind of a boring story, but I was pretty excited, because that was our first time having success on a challenge so far!
On sunday our district got to do a musical number in sacrament so we all just sang a hymn. We actually sounded pretty good, we have alot of elders who can sing harmony and melody and a couple good who are good at bass, so it was pretty neat.
On tuesday we had a fireside from Richard G. Hinckley. It was an incredible meeting. He taught us ways to make our daily routine a little more exciting, and gave us tips on how to not get discouraged. Of coarse he shared the famous quote from his grandfather "forget yourself and go to work." At the end he let some elders ask questions too. It was pretty neat!
Lately me and my companion have been reading the book of mormon aloud as part of our companionship study. Since he hasn't been a convert long, I've been teaching him about some stories he isn't familiar with. Right now we're going over the Jaredites. It's really helped strengthen our faith from their example.
Something kind of funny I forgot to mention last week. Elder Tibbits my room mate got a package with a little sea monkey kit thing. We put the sea monkeys in the water and watched them hatch and we all gave them names. Then I found out they're just brine shrimp and that just about ruined my day. But since then they've almost all died. There are only two left.
Dad- at the musical fireside, one woman who spoke told us a story about her dad, and what an incredible man he was. She then told us a couple stories about his mission in Minneapolis Minnesota. I couldn't help but think of you for the rest of the night, and how lucky and blessed I am to have such a great dad.
Dig- That's so cool that you asked for Lebron to come to your school! you should always keep that mindset. Always shoot for the best because a guy like you will usually make it! and even if you don't you at least got way farther than you would've if you hadn't tried at all!
Denny- It was great to hear about your day! keep doin what you always do! and always love every part of every day! grandpa bob is a great example of having that kind of attitude.
Shash- Thanks for your letter! I miss you and love you and I think about you all the time!
Shenay- I loved your letter. I'll watch out for your friend. I'm sure he's a good guy. And Nay, like you said you're the oldest now, and it's a big responsibility. But I know that you'll do the best at it by being who you've always been. You are so awesome! Some of my most spiritual memories are with you (efy for example) I love you nay!
Mom- they make minestroni soup here, but it's not as good as yours. I don't know that elder you're talking about but maybe I'll see him sometime. I miss you tons and I love getting your letters every day. I miss you mom, You're the best.
Sorry I'm out of time! but I was wondering if you guys could send my hottest hot sauce in my next package? if not that's fine
I love you all!
Elder Dallas Aguilar