An Honor to Serve on Holy Ground

I cannot believe this mission is coming to an end!  Words cannot describe how I feel.  Some days I am not sure what to say about my mission, but one thing is for sure, I have been more converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and knowing that makes me happy!

For eighteen months I have been striving to share the message of the Restoration to as many as I can.  As I believe I have mentioned in previous posts, my mission scripture is D&C 100:5-6 which states,  

Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that 

I shall put into yourhearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you 

in the very hour, yea, in thevery moment, what ye shall say.

 

Last Thursday I was on exchanges with Sister Leyes from Argentina.  We were at the reflection pool and approached "Fred".  He was staying in Utah for a couple of months for work.  Right away he asked who we were and what we did.  We explained that we were missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and our purpose was to invite others to receive the restored gospel.  We then pulled out the Restoration pamphlet and began to share our unique message.  Reciting the First Vision was refreshing and spectacular!  That day the sun was bright and warm, the sky was clear blue and the spirit was strong!  Sister Leyes and I knew the spirit kept us balanced with one another and our tongues were loosed.  Fred then asked, "Well what do I need to do if I were to become Mormon?"  With enthusiasm we pulled out the Book of Mormon and shared about baptism. He accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and to learn more!  Sister Leyes will continue to teach Fred.  When she called at the scheduled appointment we had made, he was busy, but, he had started reading the Book of Mormon!

I love my Savior Jesus Christ.  His love is soothing and assuring.  I am grateful that I have weaknesses so that I may be able to find joy as I overcome them!  It is such an honor to serve on holy ground where families are sealed for eternity.  I know President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God.  Joseph Smith did see God the Father and Jesus Christ.  Obedience is a commandment that secures our eternal salvation.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.  

Love,

Sister Mikeila Aquino

Sister Geraldino was in my MTC zone.  She went home last week.

Some of the departing class-we sang on Sunday

 

Wash the Feet of the Sisters

General Conference was spectacular!  I loved seeing the bright colored flowers, the clear blue sky; feeling the warm sun and meeting the crowds and crowds of people from all over the world!  It is one of the most miraculous sights to see! 

Because of the conference we met mostly members, but there were some guests not of our faith and it was wonderful to share with them that there is still a prophet today, from whom we can receive guidance for our lives!   

One of the greatest lessons I learned from General Conference and MLC (Mission Leadership Counsel), is that we, as disciples of Jesus Christ, must tend or serve our fellow men in order to be happy individuals.

In MLC, President Risenmay bore testimony of what it truly means to be a Christ-like leader.  He shared of the time Jesus Christ washed the feet of His apostles.  This got me thinking of how I needed to "wash the feet" of the sisters in my district more often.  Each of us as members have been given a calling or are currently serving in one.  We do not have to be a Bishop or Stake President to act as a leader and diligently serve.  What ever the calling may be I invite you to be a righteous example and continuously serve those in your ward specifically. "For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; Naked and ye clothed me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Matthew 25:35-36.

Never forget the "worth of souls is great in the sight of God".  God loves us individually and He knows what we need.  We need to be the answer to someone else's prayers.  That someone may be the sister quietly sitting next to you in Relief Society or the single parent struggling to get the children to church.  That someone could be the Bishop himself.   

I know that the Savior is the master of service.  He is the director of this church.  I hope to be His hands and obey His will.  I am grateful the Savior forgives me for my mistakes and shortcomings.  I am grateful that Joseph Smith asked God to know the truth.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Love,

Sister Mikeila Aquino

 

Saturday Afternoon Session of General Conference

My wonderful mission president and his wife.

Look who we ran into! 

 

A living prophet today

Hi!  I hope everyone's week wan wonderful!  Did you pray in your families for opportunities to serve?  Please share some of those stories!

The weather has been off and on.  I have never been in a spring where it snows.  Utah weather, I tell you...  not for a beach girl!

General Conference is this weekend and once again I am so excited!  There will be miracles after miracles!  Sometimes in life we feel as though we are 'breezing' through life, enjoying every minute of it and then a trial or two or three or ten come our way and we become stuck.  The things that once made us happy are gone, the confidence we once had withers away.  Have any of you ever felt like this at one point in your lives?  I sure have.  Although I may sometimes feel discouraged, hurt or lonely, I know I can find greater happiness and light in my life as I follow the prophets of old and in modern times, for they are men called of God to be His mouth piece on the earth. 

 

I am grateful there is a living day prophet today, Thomas S. Monson,  who loves each and every one of us.    I hope each of us will listen to his words this weekend. If you do not know already, pray to know if he is a man called of God. 

Jesus Christ is the director of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our loving Heavenly Father trusts us to make righteous choices, repent and find happiness.  I know Joseph Smith did see God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

I love you all!
Sister Mikeila Aquino

 

 

God's Plan

I hope all of you were able to watch the Easter video that I posted on last week's blog!  Please share any thoughts or feelings you had!

This past week Sister Evangelista and I gave a tour to two member families who were good friends and wanted their children to take a tour. The tour was very uplifting and rewarding! The spirit was present every second.  We ended in "God's Plan" and a sight I had never seen before really touched my heart.  The little 7 year old pulled out a kleenex and began to cry.  This reminded me of how we need to "becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love..." as it says in Mosiah 3:19. 

The family has an important role in God's Plan.  If we are obedient to His commandments, the family can perform miracles and serve others in the greatest of ways.  Marriage is between a man and a woman.  It is through the prophets we can come to know the truth of all things and how to direct our families in righteousness.  I invite all families to pray for an opportunity to serve in any way this week. I promise you that the Lord will strengthen your home and peace will reside within the walls of your home.  

 

Joseph Smith did see God the Father and Jesus Christ.  It was through the restoration that families can we bound for time on earth and for eternity.  I say these thing sin the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

I love you!

Sister Aquino

 

My new Companion, Sister Evangelista from Spain

 

Hallelujah! Christ Is Risen!

This last week Sister Evangelista and I had met a lot of people with various backgrounds and experiences.   Some grew up with a faith and were strong, and others had fallen away from a belief in God.  Some asked questions, wanting to find answers, while others asked questions just to argue with us.  But, I feel, that they were all in some way, seeking for something or someone that could bring them peace. 

In our world we have medication, therapy, books, rituals, and so on that are provided to help us find strength and understand ourselves.  The most perfect "solution" that I know to be true, is our Savior Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane.  There He felt all of the pain and confusion that each of us face daily.  Then, He died on the cross at Golgotha.  However, He was also resurrected, which means He overcame death.  Through our Savior Jesus Christ it is possible to find peace, comfort and joy from our hardships and questions of doubt.  This last weekend our church released a new video for Easter. Hallelujah: An Easter Message About Jesus Christ. I invite everyone to watch, and ponder how strengthening your relationship with the Savior can resolve your pain, concerns or fears.

Jesus Christ lives!  I know He was resurrected from death.  I know He visited God's children in Jerusalem and Ancient America.  The resurrected Christ did visit Joseph Smith; and through Joseph Smith the gospel was restored back to the earth.  I love my Savior.  I am honored to wear His name on my badge for these eighteen months.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love,
Sister Mikeila Aquino

A beautiful early morning on Temple Square





Music and the Spoken Work

Enjoying Music and the Spoken Word

 

WE LOVE ARIZONA! (Sisters that are either from there or served there for outbound.)

 

 

With Sister Carrus, the daughter of a member family from my moms' mission

Communication restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ

So many miracles and blessings came our way!  For one, the sun is beaming outside and I am actually saying "It is so hot!" here in Utah.  I'm so excited that General Conference is almost here!

On Saturday, I found out that someone who we had been teaching since my second transfer, but had lost contact with when I went to Arizona,  got baptized! 

One of the lessons that I am learning is the importance of communication.  Sister Evangelista and I love each other!  We are always laughing, trying to tell jokes and being happy. But, there have been instances where we are evaluating a tour or discussing something and we misunderstand each other.  Sister Evangelista is a wonderful example of listening with love.  She and I are learning to communicate better by using the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I found this quote given by one of our leaders of the church that I believe can be applied by all, not just women.

I know that the when we use the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can help fix any relationships that may be struggling.  If we truly have a desire to  change and ask Heavenly Father for help, we will receive His guidance and feel His love. 

Heavenly Father loves us!  He sent us down to earth with our families.  He provided prophets every dispensation and even after apostasy.  I know Jesus Christ came to the earth to teach us the way to obtain salvation and to establish God's church with His authority.  Although the priesthood, authority of God,  was lost after the death of Christ and His apostles, God provided a way to restore it back to the earth because He loves us.  Because of clear communication, the priesthood and God's church was restored in 1830 through Joseph Smith.  The communication Joseph had with God and Jesus Christ did happen.  The Book of Mormon is the evidence.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love, Sister Mikeila Aquino

Spending part of P-day researching my Filipino Family History

Hermana Sullivan from AZ!

Look who came to visit-Sister Jin from China!

 

Happiness

Sunday we walked up to the Christus and saw a girl looking up at the statue.  I felt we needed to talk with her so we approached her and unlike many people, she right away smiled and said "Hi!".  Her name was Julia and she was a member of the church.  She just seemed to be the bubbly and optimistic type; someone that bursts with sunlight and warms your heart.  We asked if she had seen God's Plan and if she would like to see it.  She quickly got up and we went.  Before we started the presentation we asked that she share what made her the happy individual that she was.  She said, I love knowing who am I and that Heavenly Father cares about me no matter how small I may be in this entire universe. I love being happy and having this wonderful message in my life that lets me remember that I'm here to help others and to bring them into Christ. This gospel is the best thing that's ever happened to me and I will never give it up. 
Although she did not say, I am sure like all of us, Julia, has experienced trials, but instead of allowing them to discourage her, she applied the Atonement into her life and used God's love to define who she is today. 


Julia's beautiful smile

Her remarks really stuck with me and I want to add my testimony to Julia's.  Happiness comes from being a witness that Christ performed the Atonement.  I am a witness.  I am grateful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.  I am a work in progress.  I have many flaws and weaknesses, but I am who I am today because I trust in Heavenly Father and I love my Savior.  There are many different reasons as to why I decided to serve this mission, but the main one is because the gospel of Jesus Christ brings me happiness.  I am happy when I read the Book of Mormon.  I am happy partaking of the sacrament each week.  I am happy when I attend the temple to make covenants or promises with Heavenly Father.  I am happy when I pray constantly throughout the day to my Heavenly Father. I am happy when listening to President Thomas S. Monson, our living prophet.  I am happy when I use the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I am happy to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of-Latter Days Saints.
If you want be happy, find who you truly are.  If you are trying to find yourself apply the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As a missionary my purpose is to help others grow closer to their Savior and guiding them to take necessary steps that will make them happy eternally.  If you are feeling lost or discouraged, my companion and I would love to help you!  Please email me and we would love to share more about the gospel of Jesus Christ with you and teach you how to apply it in your life!

I say these things in the name of my beloved Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

I love you all!  You are all beautiful sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father!

Sister Mikeila Aquino

 

So fun to run into Sister Christensen