SORRY!!!

December 11, 2017

Hey Mom, Hey Dad,

So I don't have a lot of time today because Jakson got on at the same time I did, and I kinda forgot about weekly letters.... I'm super sorry. 

But this week is transfers! No idea what's gonna happen.... Though I think I know what I want to happen.... 

Another thing is that I finally think that things are dyin down with the election stuff! Ya! And we went to Impala Park again this week and saw crazy animals and stuff! Baboons are super turds! I don't like those guys! They're super crazy! But I sure do love Africa... One day I'll take you guys here... And we came just in time cause there were a bunch of baby monkeys! So cute just hanging on to the bellies of their mommies... Oh babies... So cute... Also, about my camera. It has had a little trouble charging lately?... So no pics this week... But maybe you could find stuff from the other missionaries?!... Nonetheless, I love you guys like crazy and perhaps we can join in some good fun this week! I have plans to study Alma chapter 30 this week, the one with Korihor. So, if you all collect your thoughts on it and I collect mine, we could have a nice talk on all those nice scriptures! But I love you guys! We'll talk later!

elder fraga

Hey Family

December 4, 2017

Yeah, 

How are things? I hope they are good. Things are good here, which is good. I don't really have anything big to talk about this week. But we get to have zone conference, which should be good. But ya know, I have been doing a lot of thinking this week, and I've kinda come to a conclusion of some sort as to what I would like to do with my life, which is good. It's kinda long, so I hope you can follow along, but anyways:

After I get home, I want to go to BYU Jerusalem for a semester or two, who knows, and really get to know the scriptures in the Holy Land. I have really loved how much I have learned to this point in my life, and looking at things, I would much rather be studying the gospel than anything else. But of course, by the sweat of my brow, I will earn my bread or whatever. So getting into job stuffs, A lot of people have told me cheesy things like, "Oh, you're very comforting" and "You know just what to say" and "Ah, you understand people" and I was all like "Suuuuurrree....." but someone told me that I really should get into something that has to do with the mind. Long story short, I want to study psychology and perhaps become a therapist/counselor or something, though... and here is the big part... with a lifelong pursuit of, for lack of a better word, translating all these psychological terms into a universal language AKA the gospel of Jesus Christ!!! Woo-hoo! Example, what is often times referred to as conscience can also be called the light of Christ! Everyone is born with the light of Christ. And then maybe after years of study and experience I become a professor at some nice university, teaching all this stuff (but if it's a university talking about the gospel, it would probably have to be BYU.) There was this one guy named Truman G Madsen, he is pretty much one of my idols now, and what he did in his life was he took the unanswerable questions in philosophy and gave us the answers through the writings of Joseph Smith and the restored gospel, which is way legit and kind of my inspiration behind this whacky idea... But any who, I know it's a big goal, but why not set big goals, huh?! It's the only way we can do big things in this life! But yeah, I got more plans too. It's a little long to talk about just over a simple email so maybe we can talk about it when we have that call. But another thing is perhaps I will do wildlife biology part-time as well, so I'm spending time outdoors and getting away from the stresses of all that deep stuff. But who knows? If any one knows some way I can make it into BYU Provo after I'm home though, that would be much appreciated... Haha... 

And so also, by the way, dad you sent me that long email and at the end you said, "I hope it wasn't too boring", but it was WAY TOO EXCITING because seriously I haven't really been able to get my mind off of that stuff!!! Thank you!

Also with the wildlife biology, I think I would want to go to USU for that jazz. I've heard its pretty easy to get in there...

But yeah, there's my stuff. I'm gonna be happy to talk to you guys soon! Love ya and remember to light the world! Wipee! Also, I heard the Cristina spoke in the Christmas devotional! That is so legit!! Tell everyone back home "Hi" for me! Love you all very much, and oh my goodness! I just can't seem to finish this email before another thought comes to mind... So, how are Alec's mission papers coming along?! Super excited for him!!!

-elder fraga

I forgot to tell you guys!!! I was helping a lady fetch water from her 80 foot well the other day and my tag and white handbook fell all the way down that wretched hole!... But it's kinda okay because they ordered me two new ones (i don't know why they ordered two?... now i'll have three) But they are both pocket ones, one in english the other in SWAHILI!

SWEET RELIEF!!!

I LOVE YOU GUYS! so much!

i don't want to be a pesimist so i won't talk much, but maybe we can play madlibs!

Kenya really ______ right now! I'm so ______ of this ______! My mission is _______ than I had ever ______ it would be! Sometimes I just want to _____ _____ because all this _____ is super ______ up...

For real, there is some crazy stuff going down right now! I am not going to lie. If God had not prepared me to this point in my mission, I would have been home right now. The hand of the Lord has really worked upon me during my time here, and I have seen His grace lifting me over every burden. I will quote Brigham Young when he said, "the only thing I ever brought to my calling was grit." God has done the rest!  

And another thing, this Muslim guy was yellin' at us the other day and I just walked straight up to him and stared him down. Just about scared the spirit outta that dude. When I say Kenya turns boys to men, I say Kenya turns boys to MEN! I even took a picture of myself the other day and I was like, "what?!" I'm so ooold now...

But the family looks rockin, all you peeps at that BYU thing look like models. I can't wait to one day join you! 

Love you like crazy,

elder fraga

And I've grown taller!

Ethan! Ethan!

It is the year mark since our son and brother passed away in a car accident. Our ward organized a hike with all of the youth and asked Aidan to write a few words. We couldn't express our feelings any clearer than Aidan did in his words.

Friends, 

It is indeed a bitter sweet opportunity that I have to write a message for this occasion, but nonetheless not one that I would pass up, because I LOVE talking about my baby brother, and I'm so grateful for all of you gathering here today to remember him.

The past year has been something else. It has felt unreal. Time has moved by so fast and it is hard for me to believe. It is hard for me to put in words how I have felt over the past 12 months. There has been pain. Not just stomach twisting, physical anguish, or mind churning mental strains, but there has been a deep spiritual wound that has been with me since I received that news. It was and is something that cuts to the heart. That cuts to the soul. To echo the words of Alma the younger, "There could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains." We all felt that pain in this trial, and I can honestly say that I did not comprehend that, that kind of sorrow was possible. Yet, on the other hand! "Oh, what joy and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!" "There can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy!" The joy that we have felt, the love that we have experienced has been immeasurable! All of us have felt the ministering of angels, and we have all experienced something greater, lifting us above our deepest pit. I would like to believe that the reason this time without Ethan has gone by so fast is because Ethan has not left us. Ethan has been with us, and IS with us today, both me and you. I can TESTIFY of his presence.

Throughout this time I have learned so much that has helped me in this burden, and I would like to share some of those lessons today. To begin, I would like to read from a scripture in Romans. Romans chapter 8:35, 37-39 says:

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

-This is Paul speaking, and his answer?-

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors (meaning abundantly victorious) through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And how true it is! When we choose to let Christ in, enduring to the end can become enjoying to the end because we can see the beauty in every bit of our lives. I want you for a minute to think back on the hike you took today. Ethan and I always loved the outdoors and we have always believed that there are great lessons to be learned while on the trail. Some of you may have hiked this very trail before, but when you started out this morning among friends, what changed? Every time I hit the trail with my best friend (of course Ethan) all at once nature became higher and nobler, but also more achievable. We knew that we had each other! It is indeed the same with Christ. As soon as we accept the Lord’s invitation "Walk with me" the nature of our lives changes, it does become higher, it does become nobler, and it does become more achievable, because we know that we are not alone.

The second lesson is found in 1 Thessalonians 5. It’s just small, only two little words! 

16 Rejoice evermore!

Who was that kid that could always be found with a smile? Ethan. Who was the one who could always put a smile on your face? Ethan. Ethan is the MAN! Ethan is a MYTH! Ethan is a LEGEND! I love that dude and if we are gonna live like Ethan, we gotta live with love, love for the good! Love for the bad! Love for the earth! Love for each other! So let’s grow our hair out and listen to rad tunes together! Just kidding... But let us always be ourselves like he would. Again I’m very grateful for my younger brother! My love is stronger than words! And I know I will see him again!

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Memories!!! All Alone In The Moonlight!!!

Oh. My. Gosh! You wouldn't believe what I remembered back to this week!!!

My birth!! Just kidding... That'd be crazy. What I actually remembered was this:

One summer day when I was working at Precision Time IWSC, I sat peacefully thinking about the past, imagining the future, and kind of zoning out while polishing some watches, when I got a frantic tap on my shoulder. I turned around to find my beloved brother(Ethan) standing there. I take off my earbuds and immediately his words pierce my ears. "Please! Help me!" was the cry! For what? I knew not. Interested, I listened on.. "Marcelo is making us clean the boneyard!" I was a little confused, because that was kind of our job everyday. I was like, "What?...". and Ethan went on to tell me the dirty deets... "When Alec and I were looking for parts in the boneyard, I thought it'd be funny to fart into the fan... I thought it was going to make a funny noise and echo around-" choking as he tried to hold back tears (laughing tears but...) "It was a silent one!!!! And it smells so bad! David, not knowing what had happened, thought it was so bad that he went to talk to Marcelo about it! When Marcelo came down he started coughing and said 'shi-! something must have died in there!'", assuming that a rat must have perished and the remains were now spoiling. "He told us we have to take everything out and find it!" This time there was despair in his voice..."Please help us.. This is too big of a job for us to do alone." This time I was the one laughing! I literally fell on the floor! HAHAHAHA! Man, I felt some sympathy, and I tried to ask him why he hadn't just told Marcelo the truth. He said he was too embarrassed and he would rather face the punishment than ask for forgiveness. I shook my head in disbelief and started busting up laughing while we walked downstairs...

Super good memory... And I really wanted to share it with you, BUT what is the lesson here? It is far better to repent now than to face the consequences later! Alma 32:32-34 says:

32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

You don't stand before Marcelo after and say, it was only a fart after you've cleaned the boneyard! It just doesn't work like that. If you don't want the punishment, which I promise, you do not want the punishment, then repent now! Repent when it happens and see that burden of sin lifted from your shoulders! I love this Gospel! I love this church! and I love Christ! I'm so thankful that God sent him into this world so that through him all mankind may be saved, and return to the presence of our God, the Celestial Kingdom! (in this analogy, the soft-seated, air conditioned IWSC) instead of living in outer darkness or a lower kingdom (the boneyard) for the rest of eternity. I love God and I love you guys!

 

elder fraga

Comfortably Numb

October 23, 2017

A pretty good description of how I feel. I don't think things are too good here. But I'm coping well. I wish that things could be a li'l different than this, but I guess that it's all part of the journey. 

I do feel a little down. Kisumu isn't helpin' a whole lot, but that's the condition of the whole country so I'll hang on. I'm trying my best to be an optimist! Haha it may feel like hell, but at least it's not cold! 

It's hard not to think about home though... Especially being inside for so long. I don't know if you heard about Madagascar, but almost all of the missionaries have been taken out. I don't want to spread rumors or anything, but if it can happen there than... Well, ya know.

About Bednar, yeah he came, but he was in Nairobi, so not a chance of meeting him. :( It would have been cool though..

And about moving around for elections, the people up top seem to think it's gonna be okay around here this time around. So we stayed here in Kisumu. HA. We will see.

And the work is good, though we don't have much time to teach. It makes the work difficult, it's not easy to find investigators, and when we do, it's not likely that they stick around, because they are either participating in the ruckus, or they are running away from it. So we all hope and pray that things will cool off, and perhaps people will be ready to learn and accept the gospel, and reap the blessings in their lives. but yeah :(...

Anyways, oh gosh Portland sounds nice right now... When you talked about Sizzle Pie, my mouth was literally watering. And getting lost for hours in Powell's Book store sounds like a dream. I hope everything is amazing for you back home! I pray the business is finding success! And I hope those new love birds are lovin' life! I'll hopefully talk to you next week! Lots of love!

elder fraga

YELLO! Yellow?

October 17, 2017

I come from a land down undaa... duh duh-duh duh where women roll and make thundaa... 

bababa-bababa can ya heya can ya heya tha thundaaa? 

I bet ya can't guess what song is stuck in my head right now..

Anyways, that doesn't have anything to do with... really anything so,

Things here are goood... Not much has been happening because of certain things that are happening but it's all chill because we are still safe and alive!

I have had an ABUNDANCE of time to study as of late, and I have learned many many things, and my testimony of the Book of Mormon really has grown! It's great! I would like to say this to all: Read from the Book of Mormon. In fact, read it EVERY SINGLE DAY. And if you don't want to hear it from me, a lowly 20 year old hippy living in Africa as a representative of Jesus Christ, listen to the big man himself, cause thats the message he's been givin' his prophets since the book came back nearly 200 years ago. When we read from the Book of Mormon, we find solutions to problems that confront us, answers to questions we both know we have and didn't know we have, and most importantly, grow closer to God and Jesus Christ through it! Take a chance, and dare I say? Carry it around with you everywhere. Whether on your phone, or as a small paper copy, keep it on hand boys and girls, that's our weapon in these latter days! Use it!

Love ya all, U R da best.

Elder Fraga

P.S. A member showed us somethin' about Eminem blasting Donald Trump? Can I get an update on the statehouse? Seems like things are going to "ashiz"...

 a Ether 15:25