Turn to the Savior, Always!

I apologize for not writing last week!  Each day has gone by way too fast and so much is filled in these days!  I am so grateful for all of the lessons I have learned!  I would like to share one of these that really touched me.

In the evening we were contacting people in the basement of the North Visitor Center. We had planned to go to the reflection pool next, but then Sister Cariñote said we should go to the Christus. At first I asked why not go to the reflection pool as we had planned, but agreed to go up to the Cristus. I am so grateful Sister Cariñote acted on that prompting. We approached a lady sitting on the couch.  There, leaning against the couch, was a big blue envelope  with the name 'Sara' written on it. We asked who the artist was. The lady responded that it was her daughter, Sara, who has autism. She said that Sara loved art and was downstairs looking at the paintings of Christ. The mother began to cry and said when Sara wants to come to Temple Square, they come. We asked if there was one particular Christ-like attribute she learned from her daughter. I shared that those of us not with special needs are the different ones and that we have so much to learn from them. She continued to cry as she explained that Sara always focuses on the Savior. The spirit came to me and taught me that me venting or having self pity for my trials was selfish. I needed to focus on my purpose as a missionary. Sara soon came up to the ramp and we we got to see some of her art.

 We can learn from Sara, to center our lives more on the Savior instead of the things of the world, and, as we strive to follow Him and use His atonement, we will overcome the things of the world.The invitation I give to all of us this week is to turn our hearts more towards the Savior.  Put down the phone and say a prayer;  turn off the television and play with the kids;  put aside the homework and read the scriptures.  I promise you peace and a surety of God's love for you.  I love my Savior.  He has blessed me with experiences that humble me and remind me to turn to Him always.  Not just when times are difficult, not just when I want to pass my test, not just when I want a lesson or tour to go well, but always!  

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love,

Sister Mikeila Aquino

Doing a little quilting while waiting for the next tour

Organ Tour!

Since the Salt Lake Temple was closed, we got to go to the Bountiful Temple

For Time and All Eternity

This last week has been so emotional!  My trainer ( my mission mom) Sister Palmer, now Gwyneth Allred, got married!  I had the wonderful opportunity to attend her sealing!  A sealing is when a husband and wife are married in the temple for 'time and all eternity'.  The temple is where God hopes for each of us to one day enter so we can make covenants, or higher promises with Him; one of which is a temple marriage or sealing.   We also do work for our ancestors who have passed on.  For example, if we have a family member who was not baptized in this life, we can be baptized for them. Sealings for family members are also done.  If you have any questions about the purpose of temples visit Temples. You can also email me and I would love to answer any questions you might have.

President and Sister Poulsen, (my mission president and his wife) will be completing their mission this Thursday.  They both spoke in church this last Sunday and boy was I emotional!  I love them! He directed the Temple Square Mission exactly how it needed to be.    I know that our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson is a man called of God and he received revelation that the Poulsens needed to be our Mission President.  However, I also know that President and Sister Risenmay (my new Mission President) have also been called by our Heavenly Father.  Members of the church, if for whatever reason you are struggling with supporting your leaders, whether it be a Bishop, Relief Society President, counselor, I urge you to ask the Lord to fill your heart with Christ like charity and to have the desire to sustain that leader.  There is only happiness in following God's will.  

Happiness comes from eternal blessings.  Eternal blessings are received in the temple.  The temple is the only way we can be with our family for time and all eternity.  The Book of Mormon has brought so much clarity into my life and has strengthened my faith that I will see my loved ones again after this life.  One of my mother's favorite scriptures is found in the Book of Mormon (Mosiah 16:8) But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.  

Love,

Sister Mikeila Aquino 

Another Witness of Our Savior

Happy New Year everyone!  2016 is here!  Another year to find and experience miracles!

January 1 for us was wonderful!  There was quite a lot of people that came to visit Temple Square and it was exciting! 

In the evening we went to contact guests in the Tabernacle and we met "George" (name changed for privacy) and his father.  They were visiting from Ecuador.  Since George's father could only speak Spanish, George translated for me. They didn't know anything about the Tabernacle so I began to explain the history and original purpose for the building- to listen to a living day prophet speak without the use of a microphone.

This was one of those moments that the spirit was flowing right through me.  I began to ask questions and bear testimony of things that were not my own words.  The message of the Restoration came up and I could feel that their hearts and spirits were listening.  I knew they felt Heavenly Father's love for them.  I asked them if they had ever read or heard of the Book of Mormon.  George had because his brother was actually Mormon.  This surprised me that hadn't brought it up before, but I guess the Spirit helped him to be open about it.  He said that he had read the some of the Book of Mormon in the past.  He and his brother hadn't ever talked too in depth about the Mormon religion before because George didn't know what to ask.  I invited George to read his copy of the Book of Mormon again and to "liken" or relate the words to himself.  He said he would. The Spirit was so strong!  

I am a witness that the Book of Mormon is for every individual on this earth.  I know God's love is poured upon me when I have the desire to listen to what is being said in the words of the prophets.  I urge each and every one of you to read the Book of Mormon.  Before reading, get on your knees and ask Heavenly Father  for strength to understand what is being taught. 

If you have any questions or doubts at all about the Book of Mormon please visit mormon.org to chat with missionaries like me.  We would love to help you increase your faith and understanding of the Book of Mormon.

I love you all!

Sister Mikeila Aquino