LOCO DE MIERcoles...

April 25, 2018

Another one of Patagonia’s slogans:

-"Built to Endure"...

I’m excited to talk to you guys in a week or so! It seems like this time I’ll have a story or two to tell... Just be sure that you cut me off early! Because I’m gonna have a lot to say and I want to hear more about y’all...

Just quick, I remember after my farewell talk Brother Reavley walked up to me and said, "Watch out for the animals over there, and remember that not all of them walk on four feet...". Prison wasn’t bad. We made it out fine and we got to teach 20+ people, so that’s chill. Can’t say I want to do it again, but its all good. I repeat what I said when I was in being shot at in Kisumu, in that as missionaries these guys can’t do a thing to us, they sure can get close though... I don’t like the police here. And I was talking to some of the other missionaries and they all told me to write a book about my experiences on the mission and that if I did it’d be crazier than any other missionaries... What they don’t understand though is that the things that have been hardest about my mission aren’t the experiences I’ve had to endure, but the ones I’ve missed. Everything that has happened since I’ve been out here makes things like this only another drop in the bucket and at the end of the day I feel a whole lot like Alma. Alma 29:5-6:

5 Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.

6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?

Considering the past year and a half, the next six months oughtta be exciting. Don’t worry too much, we weren't held for too long... Only for 16 1/2 hours, but it was a loooong night! I might say it was more frightening than the whole "elk whistle" experience but... We did have a nice testimony building experience though! Priesthood is real! Church is true! Gospel blesses lives! But I guess I got a lot of interesting stories to tell...

Also, my new companion came yesterday! His name is Elder Mahanzu from Zimbabwe! Super cool and he's finishing his mission in 6 weeks! Working hard here in El-d! again. Though don’t be nervous or sad or anything like that ALL IS WELL! the gospel gives us reason to smile on our way into prison and smile on the way out! :) :) :) Just get excited because it’s an awesome story with everything! Action, comedy, horror, romance, heartbreak, betrayal, false accusations about our documents to live here being false and how we are actually spies, and gospel! Really, a mix of everything! It'll be nice, but I’m outta time so I’ll talk to ya later guys, love you!

aidan 

(that’s what they called me in prison and it was weird to hear it again! haha)

Life Is Good

April 16, 2018

Lately I have been thinking a lot about Patagonia's slogans... 

-"Conquerors of the Useless"

-& "Live Simply"

I think they are both so legit! The first one really stuck out to me before the mission with the rock climbing and the hiking and the running and the swimming and the camping... I miss that stuff... I can't wait to get back into that stuff soon.

 

Lately the second one has been stickin' out to me a little more. It makes life so much easier... So much less stressful... It's a truth! I think that may have even been one of Alma's catch phrases too, "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass", So I guess we got some Book of Mormon back up for the phrase... Yvon Chiounard, you just about got it right! Read the Book of Mormon! But that's kind of the way this gospel works. It's just simple, easy to apply, and so amazingly powerful and essential for our well being. I've been living simply lately. This is what I have been trying to do:

-Being exactly obedient to the best of my ability.

-Working smart, not hard.

-Trying to put full faith in Jesus Christ, and recognizing His hand in all areas of the work.

-Just opening my mouth and letting the Holy Ghost do the rest.

And here have been some of the blessings- or miracles:

-I have grown in faith.

-I have grown in love.

-I have grown in hope.

-My testimony is certain that Christ is in this work.

-I know God loves me.

-I have been reaching goals (physical, spiritual, and statistical)

Now, on that last one, I've got something to say, I have reached so many goals and now I need to make new goals and I think I've got some, but you guys always pushed me to do my best and because of that I am where I am today, and I have accomplished the things I have, all thanks to you. So, really, really thank you. I could not ask for better parents. I love you guys very, very, much. If I wasn't engaged in such an invigorating work, I would not be able to wait another day to be with you. I have grown to love to serve the Lord and just the other day when I was going to bed I thought to myself "I don't want six months, I want two more years- I want to serve for the rest of time!" It is going to be an extremely sad day when I retire this old tag... But I love this church, I love Christ, and I love God! And I love you guys very, very, much. Have a good week!

elder fraga

I Was Very, Very Shocked...

April 9, 2018

Ya know, this week was a little weird...

I feel you guys when you were talkin' about how the seventh (Ethan's birthday) was a little bit difficult... But there were some crazy, crazy things that happened that day for me.  General Conference comes a week later for us, which means we were watching it on the seventh and eighth (b.t.w. for anyone who may not be familiar with General Conference, GET FAMILIAR WITH GEN CONF! It seriously is the best and most motivating thing you could spend your time watching on television... You receive answers to life long questions. The Holy Ghost is just about shakin' you, AND the craziest part is that it is very reverent the whole time-unlike the church across from our apartment that plays it's rock music and has people yelling at the top of their lungs until 5:00 in the morning.... *Article of Faith number 11, Aidan, Article of Faith number 11...* It's on lds.org if you want to check it out) When I went into the conference I was feelin' a little down about Ethan, but my attitude was like "Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth"!! And I was shocked, absolutely shocked when I listened to just the first three speakers alone. M Russell Ballard- "If we have faith as a mustard seed, Christ can remove mountains of sorrow, doubt and fear from our lives" I thought "dang that's cool" plus I like mountains, so it's a double whammy. But then!... Brian K Taylor- speaking of his friend who caused an accident and had a hard time forgiving herself (makin' me think of the sister driving in the accident) quoted Boyd K. Packer in saying "You are a child of God... Fix that truth in your mind and hold to it!" (love Boyd K...) Made me remember how I haven't ever said anything to her, but it is okay, I do not hold anything against you! You are my sister, and seriously remember that stuff by Elder Packer. (B.T.W Sorry I'm going fast, we gotta get to the couple's apartment real soon...) But then, THIRD the man, the myth, the legend, Larry Echo Hawk- giving his own experience of his brother passing in a car accident! That one really hit home for me... He is a really powerful guy. What I got from it was a better view of the big picture. We can't forget what we have. We have knowledge of the plan of salvation. We have the Book of Mormon. We have God's kingdom on Earth again. AND we have a living prophet who speaks with God. 

Not much time left, but that conference was one of the best in my life, and I do for sure know that President Nelson is our prophet. I also realized that it will be the last one I'm here in Kenya for... I'll go home within the delayed week! 

But, most important to me, is that we will see Ethan again. I have no doubt- in fact I have the opposite of doubt. I have full faith in the promise that was given to you two love birds when you were sealed in the temple way back when. Thank you for doing your part to give us an eternal family Mom and Dad. I love you more than my words can even express.

aidan

p.s. sorry it was rushed again...

Super Cool You Got to Go Tour The Mission!

(Roberto and Sueann just got back from Madrid where Roberto served 30 years ago! They went with Roberto's trainer and his family, who happen to be the in-laws of Aidan's sister, Aanika! Hence the title of the email! )

April 2, 2018

So, I don't have much time at all, but a couple of points:

-Aanika, congratulations on the Salta temple!!!! wooooo-hooooooo!!!

-Sarah was baptized this week and I am super happy for her!!! Wooo-Hooo!!!

-Sister missionaries... Can't live with them, Can't live without them...

-Kenyans really like "Wild World" by Cat Stevens (shout out to Alex Bell, BTW hang loose) and "The Gambler" by I don't know who, but they only listen to the reggae versions... (Didn't know they had those?... Me neither till I came here...)

-General Conference is this weekend (for us...)!

-Going to MLC this week and we are hoping to talk with president about getting more time for emailing...

-Love you guys

here is a letter to President Msane... Sorry about the short email this week!

I am very pleased with the way the work has been going lately. We had two baptisms last week, one baptism yesterday, general conference next week, then another baptism along with the family of brother Raphael! Huruma is an amazing area, Eldoret is an amazing place! I am excited for MLC this week and the things in which we will be able to discuss there. I don't have much to report on this week. There have been some small problems arising in the district, but we are taking care of them, which is good. But I'm grateful to be here, grateful to serve, and grateful to grow in this gospel!!!

aidan!!!

Remember The Name...

March 26, 2018

I HAVE SOME BIIIG NEWS... A friend of mine just told me that they are pregnant!!! Sososo exciting!!! AND EVEN BIGGER NEWS... I might have convinced them into naming it after me! I could be someones namesake!!! So excited though! He is awesome.... Just kidding... Guys can't get pregnant, SHE is awesome! BUT, due to some confidentiality things, I am not allowed to disclose the name.... Sorry! BUT, after she told me I just wanted to scream it from the rooftops and run around telling everyone, because it made me so happy! And because of that, if Aanika or Amber are to have a cookie baking in the oven by the time I'm coming home, I strictly do not want to know about it. I strictly do not want to know... I want to be told in person and emailing would not be very exciting. So I do not even want a hint about it. Spread the word, get it out that if i hear any news about that type of thing I will be very bummed. Not to say it will happen, but none the less, accidents happen, and if it does no one can tell me. PLEASE I BEG.

And this past week have been really good though!!! I really really love it here in Eldoret, and I earnestly hope that I can finish my mission here. That would be a dream! I have so many friends here, and the work is great, and we have been seeing a great amount of success, and one of the best parts is the weather... It almost feels like fall in Utah. It's a little chilly but still warm, and mentally its almost like a wave of relief like "That was the flippin' longest summer I have ever had and finally it is getting cold, finally winter is coming...". I think if i can enjoy this weather till the end it could just make this October that much sweeter...

Yesterday at church we had a baptism for Ann and Irene!!! Really happy for them, and I had always thought that when missionaries come home and you ask what their favorite part was and they respond saying it was seeing the change the gospel brings people- it was a BORING answer, but they are totally right!!! It's the best part of being a missionary! And when you see that happen to people it changes your life forever as well!!! I love the gospel!!! Next week we are to have a baptism for a sister named Sarah, and then hopefully if all goes well, we will be having another baptismal service for Raphael and Caroline with the rest of their family! Exciting times here!

Today we had quite the adventure... We went to explore this water fall, and then we traversed this river, and tried to catch crabs, and then hopped this fence that we found, then almost got chased by dogs, then got saved by the owner of the dogs, then got a tour from the guy who saved us who tried to go and take us to see wild hyenas, but unfortunately they weren't in their dens, they were out hunting for food. So if that tells you a little bit about how crazy Kenya is then... More of that story to come in 6 months... Just remind me...

I am super bad at answering questions... sorry, 

But, about the prophet, no one knows at the moment... I will say that all the missionaries really hope to go but don't get your hopes up... But we will see! Pray for us! 

Small spiritual thought since I am pretty much out of time... How amazing is it that we have a prophet on earth today? It's so awesome! Some one who is super close with Heavenly Father and telling us what he wants us to know... Wow. 

There was something really interesting that I read the other day. but I can't remember what it said, sorry... 

But i love you all! France looks awesome!!! I still really, really, want to go to Switzerland, and I didn't know that you went to Florence as well??? 

BTW, I still got all the other post cards! 

BBTW is Matt climbing everest? 

BBBTW love you guys,

elder fraga

I Have A Question...

March 19, 2018

How is the family? I'm doing good over here! 

And I think I know what happened with that whole throw up scene... I ate some bad beans... Haha! 

We are working real good over here in El-d! For a while there we were really working hard! We even tried taking p-days out as well! You changed that for us though Pops!!! The email that you sent me about working smarter has been doing a lot of good for our area! Yesterday we had 3 baptismal interviews, all three of whom are super great investigators- Ann, Sarah, and Irene! So expect some news on that soon! We also have 5 more baptismal interviews coming up for a great family that we are teaching, Raphael, Caroline, Esrom, Zara, and Isaac! They also have two more kids named Booz and Obed which is kinda cool, because you can find all the kids names in Christ's genealogy from Matthew 1! 

I don't think I have much news to tell ya... At least none is coming to mind, So I do have that question though!!! Or maybe questions... 

1)Is October too late to start school? 

2)What should I study? 

3)And this is the big one- what school should i go to?... It seems like Aanika wants me to go to UVU, and it does have a climbing gym, but Jakson is hinting at USU which is a really cool campus and somewhat close to Yellowstone.... 

Ugghhh... I'm not excited to start life all over again... 

excited to see you guys though!!! Anyways outta time... Love you

aidan

Wo Wo Wo Mr Totem Pole...

March 12, 2018

Please please please, Sister Socrates... 

I have still had a lot of songs stuck in my head this week... 

Not much time this week, but all the same, not much to write about. 

I got a haircut today and the Indian guy what was doing it literally hooked my nose with his pinky to move the direction of my head... That was one of the weirdest things of my life... 

Another thing is that I threw up 3 times this week, so that was a bummer. 

And a good buddy of mine here in the mission, Elder Noel, has to go home early for knee surgery :( Darn. 

I kinda can't wait to get home to see you guys! Again, I have been kinda trunky this week, but don't worry, still working hard over on these sides! 

We also got some pizza today and my tummy could hardly take the cheese... I think we might have a problem comin' back to food from the U.S of A. 

In news about the area, things are good! We have given some baptismal dates to people and we should be seeing a lot of those things coming soon! Happy about that! 

Interesting scripture fact, did you know that Zeezrom, the one who tried to bribe Alma or something in to denying God later became a serious missionary and went out with all those Book of Mormon legends to teach?? Wow! 

Love you, bye!

aidan