Albedrio (Free will)

This week I have been thinking alot about how much God respects agency and how much satan doesn't. All bad decisions that satan wants people to make either restrict them to the consequences of thier actions, others or both. And in the unforunate, well unfortunate as a word cannot convey how bad it was, news of this week. We see how bad the consequences of decisions can make.

We were teaching a man this week who has let the influence of others restrict his agency. and keep him from making decisions that God wants him to make.

In many of these situations we often ask why? Unfortunately, we can not force everyone to make good decisions but, if we didn´t have a choice then nothing else would matter and neither good nor evil would exist.

just something to think about.

con amor

-Elder Aukema y FELIZ NAVIDAD AL MUNDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Proposito

December 11
This week I have been greatly been thinking about purpose and like why I am here. I know the missionary purpose and all, "invite others to Christ"... which is really awesome but more like my purpose specifically. Like why I was specifically sent by the Lord to be here in Nicaragua norte, and not another country in central or south america or in the world for that matter so I began to think. And really, the Lord sent me here to be me not anyone else. To be Elder Aukema in his timid-usually-positive-sometimes-too-excited-sometimes-not-excited-enough self. And I am here because there are some people here that need to hear the gospel and that are looking for it or in some cases to help them end the search they never knew they were on. So yeah, it is pretty cool.


les quiero!

-Elder Aukema

Cambios

December 3

Cambios


Hola mundo!!!!

SO in this post I kind of want to talk about changes that have come to my life since I have been a missionary in nicaragua. Mostly because WE have change meeting this weeek or renion de los cambios. Anyway, to me everyday it is crazy to hear myself talk spanish and have conversations with people even though my spanish isnt that good I can comunicate with people decently here Which is crazy! I AM SPEAKING SPANISH!!! it is reall crazy it isn't very good and all but yeah it is spanish! And among other things We found a tarnatula in our house last night it was as big as my hand.. Never really had to worry about tarantulas in my house before but here it seeems to be a little bit of a problem anyway dont have much more time to write so I wish the world amerry fisrt week of december!

Oh on a spiritual note the scriptures are awesome and Every chapter can apply to your life especially the book of mormon it is so AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

¡Adios y feliz navidad! ( un pocito temprano, pero asi es)

-Elder Aukema

Adelante

November 19
"Adelante"
forward

Hola el mundo!!!
So to be honest I think that when I first recieved my mission call that said I was going to serve in Nicaragua. I was first more excited about the whole adventure of the whole situation, than the fact that I was going to be teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to people. Which I feel that I really came to understand and crave in the CCM. And now I am here in the grand old town of Chinendega, Nicaragua the hottest part of northern Nicaragua and already one of my favorite places on earth. And sometimes I forget how cool it is what I am doing, I am telling people about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! About the son of the Father that gave all that he had so us unworthy people of the earth would be able to return to Our Father in heaven again! That is so cool! I will admit that sometimes, well alot I have a little bit of fear of sharing this with people on account of my doubts of my español knowledge or fear of rejection among other things. But, Why should I doubt this is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The savior of the world, so I hope this week to press forward trusting him who is mighty to save -2nd nephi 32:19

Adios, Mis hermanos y amigos
Tengo un trabajo para hacer
para siempre con buenos sentimientos


goodbye my brothers/sisters and friends
i have a job to do
forever with good feelings


-Elder Aukema

la tierra de cafe y verde

November 12


"la tierra de cafe y verde"

the land of brown and green

So here in Nica lots of things are brown.. the streets, my white shirts (at the end of the day), my shoes, the dogs, the rocks, the trash all over the street, the dirt, the rivers, the houses, and the people (no racism intended). and sometimes the dull dreariness of the whole place can be rather... depressing, but at the same time, it feels new fresh and green. The people here, however they live, where concrete or dirt floored homes have so much hope in thier eyes. and so much happiness about them even in their humble circumstances. It makes up for the sometimes dull surroundings the city at least, the land is incredibly green and filled with trees and all that jazz. but yeah, I love it and I love life and this hopeful happy people.

and like las nicaraguenses dicen "Bien Gracias a Dios"


hasta luego,

 -Elder Aukema

De bajo este Sol

November 5
De bajo este Sol
From under the sun

Hola el mundo!
Hello world!

So this week has been rather intresting. Well I am pretty sure there isn't a normal unintresting day here in Nicaragua but anyway... So I will start with the more worldly and end with the more spiritual occurrences of this week. Well I have found a strange love for the cool beverages here there is one called avena which is like sweet oatmeal water and I cant really get enough of it along with the divine triangular sweet bread here called picos (FOR ONLY ONE CODOBA EACH!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 cord= a nickel) And continually the joys of getting rides or standing in school buses with at least 90 people in them but I am not complaining, I joy in these grand experiences  Even wearing the same clothes for three days. That is just life here in Nicaragua!
So, we have been visiting this family and we baptized them this last friday which was a super special expereince to see the change the the knowledge of the gospel and Christ in thier lives had brought about. It was a very joyous experience to on account of this being a wedding slash baptism very common here because most couples arent married and they have to be married to be baptized but yes it was great! however, sadly one of the couples and the children attended church to this sunday even with the encouragement of missionaries arriving at thier house an hour before chrch to help them. It is essential that they go because they are to be confirmed and recive the Gift of the Holy ghost the second part of baptism (born of water and the spirit john 3.5). I was pretty bummed but they promised to come next time. It is sad sad when people utilize thier agency to choose to do things that will hurt themn rather than help them...
In my personal studies this week I have been studying the book of mormon in depth everyday. Every chapter I read I seem to find something that was written just for me. And my testimony of this book and how it can change lives growsa everytime I read it. In every chapter in it a principle can be found to apply to your life to better it, to strenghten your faith, and to strengthen your belief in Christ! I love it and If you have not read it you should!

hasta proxima semana
(until next week)

-Elder Aukema

Esto es el lugar!!!!!

October 29
Esto es el lugar!!!!! This is the place!

Well Nicaragua is pretty much the coolest place ever or twanis as they say here, but this week has been rather eventful! I baptized this cool teenage guy juan saturday, have visited lots of cool people ate lots of rice&beans and found every fruity beverage here to be life changing!!!!!

I have seen five geckos one two foot lizard, been amazed by the volcanoes everytime I see them, seen the super cool lake managua, stepped in way to many sketchy things, found two cool families, hitch hiked to the next town and back twice, been a little homesick from seeing the beach in corinto today once, felt like I am not very useful all the time said que? after almost averything some has said to me, loved life everyday, and wished I was no where else but here eveyday. I love life here the rain, the garbage everywhere, the ghetto rigged everything, the sky the volcanoes I can see on the distance, the people that are so nice, and the wonderful land in between the cities full of brahma cow and sugar cane fields. I have seen two brand new John deere tractors on a semi, and the bishop in our ward is the nicaraguan version of shane obert. overall Nicaragua is super twanis and riding in the back of some guys truck in looking up at the sky and being a missionary knowing that God wants you to be here is one of the greatest feelings of my life! Also , my testimony of prayer and how God hears and anwsers our prayers in his time frame. I have prayed for rides and we have got rides, I have prayed to be able to eat all that food on my plate and I have been able, I have prayed that my scriptures that I dropped in some guys truck would somehow come back and they did, and most of all I have prayed for strength and I have found it.

I love everybody and everybody back home in the states you better eveyday be thankful for what you have because people here who have nothing, live, eat and die and live happily with much less so never complain.

-Elder Aukema

Pienso voy a Nicaragua!

Getting caught up with Elder Aukema's emails!

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October 18

Pienso voy a Nicaragua!!!!!! (Mi ultimo post en los estados unidos)

I'm going to Nicaragua! (My last post in the U.S.)


!Hola el mundo!

Hello world!
This week has been quite interesting and everyday is one day less till I leave to Managua, Nicaragua. Which is this Monday! And yeah, oh si voy a nicaragua!!! (I am going to Nicaragua!)
This week I have come to know more and more how much people in this world need the gospel in thier lives. I have taken for granted the blessed peace and all the other blessings the knowledge of the gospel has given me. Even incredibly simple stuff like God loves us and wants the best for us is simple knowledge that many people don't know or who have come to believe the contrary on account of the thier past or the things that have happened in thier lives but our message can give them Hope.
The Beautiful land of Nicaragua here I come, with Beautiful people I am sure too. well, I am going to start talking in spanish now so get your Google translate ready.


Pues, estoy muy animado por la oportunidad de servir un mision. Quiero estar en Nicaragua ahora pero, necesito esperar por el tiempo y no tengo mucho tiempo hasta el lunes. Mi tiempo aqui' en el CCM me cambio. Estoy muy agradecido por mi tiempo aqui' he aprendido muchas cosas. Aunque a veces estaba un poco cansado del la comida o porque no tenemos mucho tiempo ejercer pero, aqui' es un buen lugar y mi testimonio ha fortalecedo durante mi teimpo aqui'.


Well, I am very excited for the opportunity to serve a mission. I want to be in Nicaragua now but I need to wait for the time and I have little time until Monday. My time in the MTC changed me. I am grateful for my time here, I have learned many things. Although sometimes was a little tired of the food or because I didn't have much time to exercise but, it's a good place and my testimony has strengthened during my time here.


Esta iglesia es verdadera y Yo se' que la obra del Senor esta' sacando a luz ahora y ma's y ma's. yo quiero compartir la esperanza de esta mensaje puede traer a las vidas las personas del mundo. No tengo mucho ma's tiempo y necesito salir!


The Church is true and I know that the work of the Lord is coming forth more and more. I want to share this message that can bring hope to the lives of people in the world. I have little time and need to go!

hasta luego mis amigos y Las estados unidos!!

Good-bye my friends and the U.S.!

Hola El mundo!

     Things in el CCM continue to be great, here. Elder Thompson is gettting around now and seems to be recovering quickly from his surgery, He is required to wear a straight brace on his leg al the time so that is annoying to him but, it is for the better. In other news, Elder Pfatenhauer ans Elder Shaff have both been a little sick these past coulple of days with cold/cough/etc. and have had trouble sleeping at times on account of thier colds. I continue to be grateful for my good health so far. Also, In the free box this week I found A humidifier!!!!!!!!!!!! Which I have been using during the night. To help with the DRY air here also, it was convient because it helps both of the sick elders with their coughs. 

     Fall is arriving here, every morning you can feel it in the air. It warms up nicely everyday though and is super pleasent each day.

     Had some awesome talks this week, a really powerful about the Book of Mormon sunday and how it important it is in teaching people about the gospel and How it can help them, also A great one generally about our purpose as missionaries Tuesday. 

     Also, all the missionaries here are going to be able to watch the dedication of the Brigham city temple this sunday which will be super cool! (for more info about LDS temples go to Mormon.org). I have never really seen one so it will be awesome.

      Spanish is going good, I love, Life, the mission, everybody, and most of all the Lord.

     Lo siento necesito ir!
                                                                            -Elder Aukema

La gran vida,

       This week has been pretty great here in el CCM. It went by very quick. The days go by here very quickly and slow at the same time, it is an intresting ambuigity. ***(pleasee speel check this))*** Class and study times seem to go on without end. However, it feels like there is only an hour inbetween meals. Speaking of meals, and food there is way too much, We sit and study all day and then we go to a meal and eat too much. I have attempted to comit to eat a little lighter on account of my more sedentary lifestyle here (despite running four miles almost every Gym time), but have been thwarted by the wiles of seducing entres and copius amounts of chocolate milk. Not to say that the food here is the best I have ever had or anything, but mainly my unfortunate problem of myself, when in the presence of food eating it.

   On to less mundane topics! In other news my companion, and one of the missionaries in my room Have started sleep-talking in espanol, which is actually pretty awesome. However, I am somewhat jealous of their bi-lingual sleeping habits. Anyway, earlier this week Elder Thompson's (the companion to Elder Shaff(sleeptalk in espanol elder)) kneecap dislocated itself while he was running (he later told us it has happened before and he has a family history of it). SO today he went to the doctor to get it checked out and He is going to need surgery on account of some underlying conditions that caused the knee injuiry (including a bone fragment) So please keep him in your prayers.

     Learning something new everyday. Whether about spanish, the gospel, or life in general. Seven more weeks, it seems so far but, these past two weeks have gone so fast. El CCM is really an interesting place to be, the ridiculous amount of missionaries here is kind of crazy. Pretty spiritual too. It is really cool, to know that this is exactly what God wants me to be doing right now. I am not sure if I ever have/will ever feel that to the extent I do now. Sometimes it is hard, trying to learn a new language, studying all day, the lifestyle in general, but through it all it is prettty dang stinking great. On our way to the classroom each morning I look up at the sky and at those wasatch mountains and know this is where I am supposed to be right now. But, with each coming day I can almost hear Nicaragua calling. Its going to be great! who needs indoor plumbing anyway?!




Note:


(He probably meant for me to spell check 'ambiguity', but one of the last things he told me was "Don't change or fix any of my grammar!!" So I'll just leave that there for kicks.)

Mi primer Semana!

     So things here in la CCM (MTC Espanol(Missionary training center)) are pretty decent. My spanish maestro does not speak english to us, SO we learn fast. I can understand Spanish almost completely now, only missing a few words here and there. My speaking has also gotten much better, I can almost completely function in spanglish. Which I have decided Is the official language of my district in la CCM. I find it much easier to speak espanol all the time if I haven't been speaking much english that day. I seem to have A spanish "mode" and english "mode" which can be difficult to switch from during the day. even now When I am typing this I am having difficulties to resist the urge to type many of these words in espanol.


     So just to let you know praying in spanish is pretty cool. so yeah...

     Yo se' que la iglesia de jesucristo de los santos de los U'ltimos D'ias es verdadero, Yo s'e que el libro de Mormon es verdadero y puede cambiar las vidas de las personas de Nicaragua. Yo s'e que Jesucrist es m'i Salvador y el rendentor. Y de medio la expiacion de jesucristo nosotros podemos volver a vivir con D'ios.





Note:


(Hey! Sorry it's taken so long to get the first two posts up everyone, between mine and Kenzey's schedules, we just haven't had time to get e-mails traded and get pictures uploaded. But they're here now!

Yo voy! mañana...

     SO...... Tomorrow I leave on pretty much what is going to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. This is the first post in a blog hopefully documenting some of my experiences for everyone back home and the only one I will personally post. I cannot wait to go! My flight leaves out tomorrow at six in the morning so that is pretty cool. Anyway....  just as an FYI for those that do not know first I will report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. There I will (hopefully) learn Spanish, and be instructed on the best way to teach people the doctrines of my church. (for more information on those said doctrines and why we go on missions visit www.mormon.org ).

     I know that I will learn so much from going on a mission, and I know that it is the best path for my life right now. I wish I had time to discourse on some topic but I need to go... I will just say that I know with all my heart that the church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints is true I can't wait to tell the people of Nicaragua about it, Jesus, and everything. I also look forward to serving them and the lord with all my time talents and efforts.

     I wish I had more time to post more but I have to go. Check back soon for letters from me posted by michael or kenzey who I am most thankful for maintaining this blog.

Thanks to everybody who have supported and encouraged me in my decision!

                                                                                   Keep it Real!

                                                                                        -Elder Aukema