Last P-Day in the MTC

It is so strange that I have been here for so long already! Time has really flown by. This is my last P-Day here at the MTC! The next time I will be emailing you, I will be in Quezon City North. I cannot wait :) Obviously I am also pretty nervous because my language skills are still lacking. However I trust in the Lord and I know that everything will be just fine!

This week was filled with so many amazing experiences. Every day we play sports and my basketball skills are improving significantly! It helps that I am like a foot taller than all the people I play with though... I am the tallest one here at the MTC now that Elder Crane left. All of the Elders in our zone are trying to get healthier. We have "Tarzan" workouts because we have an Elder named Elder Taiseni from Tonga who is absolutely ripped! He talks and acts like Tarzan.. haha! It is just a hoot to play basketball with him. Anyways, his workout is simple but works! I am pretty sore. Also, the other night we were playing Touch Rubgy and I slid into the gym wall accidentally. I have a pretty good size gash on my shoulder and I couldn't move my arm very well for a couple days. It will heal alright though!

This week we really focused on Christ-Like attributes. Jesus Christ gave us such an amazing example for us. I strive to become more like him everyday, despite my weaknesses. If there is one thing that I have found out while here at my MTC is that I have many weaknesses. I have to consistently rely on the Lord. It is so strange to think of how I was before I came on my mission. I feel like I have already grown so much in 5 weeks. This gospel is amazing and brings me so much joy! I want to share my testimony with you, so I will try my best to do it in Tagalog. Hopefully Google Translate will correctly transfer my feeling to you all.

Mahal ko po ang Ebanghelyo ni Jesucristo. Nabibigyan po ako ng simbahang ito ng maraming kagalakan at lakas sa buhay ko. Alam ko po na sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng pananampalataya at panalangin, malalaman inyo ang katotohanan ng lahat ng bagay. Nakakakita po ako ng kapangyarihan ng Pagbabayad-Sala araw araw. Nagpapasalamat po ako para sa isang Tagapagligtas na nauunawaan ako ng higit pa sa aking inaakala. Nais ko po na lumapit ang lahat kay Cristo at matanggap ang kaligayahan na hanggang wakas. Sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo lang na makakapagbahagi po ako ng totoong mansaje mula sa Diyos. Sobrang nagpapasalamat po ako para sa oportunidad na maging isang misyonero. Tumukulas po ako ng mga kahinaan ko at mga lakas ko, dito sa MTC. Alam ko po na kung magpapakumbaba ako ng aking sarili sa Diyos at magkakaroon ng pananampalataya sa Kanya sa hayon ay gagawin Niya ang mahihinang bagay na maging malakas sa akin. Mahal ko ang Aklat ni Mormon dahil kapag magbasa po ako ito, nararamdaman ko po ang pagibig ng Diyos at naiintindihan ko po ang kalooban ng Diyos. Magiging mas masaya po kayo sa buhay ninyo kung magbabasa kayo ng Aklat ni Mormon. Mahal ko kayo at iniiwan ko po ito, sa pangalin ni Jesucristo Amen.

I probably have some errors, but I hope my dad at least will be able to understand! 

So many people have had such a great influence on me while here at the MTC. Elder Hafoka is the best leader that I have ever seen. He leads with such charity and boldness. He is an amazing missionary and I hope to be like him one day! Elder Cantillo has been an amazing companion to me. There are some weird things that are similar between us. We both have sisters named Justine. We are both Filipino. We are both going to Quezon City North Mission. Our families know each other. Our grandmas' are both born on December 25. There are so many more as well! Sometimes we literally say the same exact thing and it is crazy. I guess it is as expected when we spend every second together. I am so glad to have a companion like him in my life. I will miss having him around.

Anyways, it has been amazing, I love you all so much! I can't wait to email you again to let you know what my first area is like!




Translation of Aaron's testimony in Tagalog by Milo Cadayong:

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ!  The Church gives me so much joy and strength in my life. I know that through the power of faith and prayer, you will know the truth of all things. I see the power of the atonement every day.  I am thankful for the Savior who understands me more than I realize. I hope that everyone will come to Christ to receive eternal happiness. It is only through the Holy Spirit that I can share the true message from God.  I am very thankful for the opportunity to be a missionary.  I discovered my weaknesses and strengths while being here at the MTC.  I know that if I show my humility to God and have faith in Him, He will make my weaknesses become my strengths. I love the Book of Mormon because when I read it I feel the love of God and I understand His will.  You will be happier in your life if you read the Book of Mormon.  I love you all and I leave this in the name of Jesus Christ, 
amen.