Priesthood Power

This post is actually for last week and the previous post was from two weeks ago. Sorry I am behind!

 

Sister Sinamban and I have seen several miracles throughout this transfer. The Lord's hand was in each and every one of them. I believe it is through the priesthood power of God that miracles are wrought. The priesthood is "the authority and power that God gives to man to act in the name of Jesus Christ in all things for the salvation of mankind."

Pretty much since I have been here in Arizona I have not been able to sleep very well. I would wake up several times throughout the night trying to sleep comfortably, but nothing seemed to work. Then I started getting headaches every morning and sometimes it never went away during the day. It is terribly hot here, (about 123 degrees) and I am sure I have been a little dehydrated. I decided to ask my zone leaders, Elder Haskell and Elder Hawes, to give me a blessing of healing. What a comfort that blessing was! I know that was a blessing from my Heavenly Father; for He is the only one that perfectly knows me. That night, for the first time in weeks I slept like a rock and the next morning I did not wake up with a headache! I am very grateful to those elders for being worthy to hold their priesthood so that they could strengthen me. I hope every man of the church is worthy to hold their priesthood. I pray that the women of the church do all they can to support the priesthood in their lives.

The blessings of the priesthood is a gift for everyone on the earth! Regardless if you are member of this church or not know that the blessings of the priesthood are for everyone! Priesthood blessings are both for healing and comfort. If you have Mormon friends, ask them about the priesthood and what blessings they have received from having it in their lives. 

I love you all!

Sister Mikeila Aquino

Sister Sinamban, my wonderful companion!

The Awesome Zone Leaders!

Because a prayer was answered...

I love being here in Arizona! The Gilbert and Cooper wards are
wonderful! The members take such great care of us and make me feel at
home.

The Gilbert Ward just got done with Young Women's Camp this past week
and on Sunday some of the girls and leaders shared their experiences
and testimonies. The theme for their camp was "1820". 1820 was the
year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was restored by a
young boy named Joseph Smith. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints is the same church that Jesus Christ established while He was
on the earth. At fourteen years old, Joseph Smith questioned which
church he should join. He read James 1:5 and then did as the scripture
had directed, ask God. He knelt in prayer in a grove of trees and a
miraculous event occurred. Joseph gives his account, “I saw a pillar
of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which
descended gradually until it fell upon me. … When the light rested
upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all
description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me,
calling me by name and said, pointing to the other--This is My Beloved
Son. Hear Him!”  Joseph Smith saw God the Father and our savior, Jesus
Christ. They told Joseph that all of the churches that existed had
bits and pieces of the truth, but they did not have the fullness of
the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through Joseph's faith and obedience to
the Lord many blessings and truths have been restored back to the
earth for everyone to receive.

The young women all shared how grateful they were to Joseph smith for
having the confidence and faith to pray for guidance from our Heavenly
Father. The leaders had each girl complete the sentence "Because a
prayer was answered..." After listening to their talks I decided to
complete this sentence for myself.
Because a prayer was answered I have the priesthood authority of God
in my life to strengthen my weaknesses and help me overcome my fears.
Because a prayer was answered I will always have my beautiful family
who loves and whole heartedly supports me. I have the Book of Mormon
available to me to receive guidance and peace.  Because a prayer was
answered I can once day be sealed to my future husband for 'time and
all eternity'. Because a prayer was answered I know Heavenly Father
and Jesus Christ lives!

If you ever have doubts that God exists, pray! If you ever feel lonely
or discouraged, pray! If you need guidance to make a decision on
anything, pray! I can promise you in any circumstance, God will answer
your prayers, just as he answered Joseph Smith's and mine.

The Tempe Arizona mission uses Facebook for missionary purposes. My
companion and I would love to answer any questions any of you might
have about the Church of Jesus Christ or why I decided to serve a
mission! Feel free to send me a message and I will reply as soon as I
can!

I love you all!
Sister Mikeila Aquino

FHE with the Gambles!

My beautiful roommates!

Me and my adorable companion, Sister Sinamban at
"Feed My Starving Children" service project

Red, White and Blue!
MLC with the Zone Leaders, Elder Haskell and Elder Hawes

Mission life in Tempe, AZ

June 08,2015

  I am here in Tempe, Arizona!  I absolutely love this mission!  President and Sister Toone are incredible people!  They both have so much love for each and every one of their missionaries.  Sister McDaniel also came outbound to Tempe from Temple Square.  It was really nice to have a friend to be with. 

For the first few days we stayed in the mission home.  I am not going to lie, it was really nice to have a home cooked meal again!  The mission home was so welcoming and comfortable!  

The second to last day, President and Sister Toone took the new missionaries to the Mesa Temple and visitor center.  I love going to the temple!  The Mesa Temple grounds are stunning!

I have been hoping to have a Filipina companion sometime during my mission, and I got one!  Sister Sinamban is a sweetheart!  She is a great listener, hard working and very faithful to the Lord.  Just this past week she has really shown me the importance of acting on my faith in the Lord and just doing what He says without questions asked.  I love her so much!  We travel by bike and honestly I love it!  Yes it is pretty dang hot out here, but the Lord has blessed us with wonderful church members who always open their homes so we can get some water.

I was very excited to go to church on Sunday because it has been so long since I have been in a family ward!  Parents might disagree, but hearing the babies scream and fuss during sacrament meeting was soothing to my ears.  I miss seeing families at church!  

This week I have learned so much on how to be a better and happier person.  One message that stuck out to me was the importance of faith.  I was a little nervous to knock on the doors of people we visited, but because of my companion's example and the Lord's love for me, I had the confidence to continue to share my testimony.  I encourage all of you to read Alma chapter 32 in the Book of Mormon.  Faith is something meant to be simple, but often we forget to have it because life becomes chaotic and crazy.  If you are fearful of doing the Lord's will, standing up for what is right,or living a righteous life, then pray to God asking for strength.  Satan wants you to not be happy and wants you to fear man more than God.  But I promise you that as you pray, study Alma 32, you will find peace and you will have faith.  I know that God is aware of my desires and my fears.  I know that He is always the one to comfort me and help me find greater happiness.  I say these things int he name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Love,

Sister Mikeila Aquino

A message from Mom...

Sister Aquino has been reassigned to serve in the Arizona, Tempe Mission for two transfers (12 weeks.) She has been there since last Tuesday (June 4) and will get to write home tomorrow (Monday), so I will have more information then. 

Sister Aquino and President & Sister Toone